Eliminating branding on cigarette packaging

[aka Dus]

The Irish govt plans on eliminating branding on cig packages within a couple of years.

 

The American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels and many others are objecting to it. Chap on the Irish wireless earlier being uberc***ish about it. All about it being a trademark / right to differentiate themselves in a legal market issue, he says.

 

Bit more info here: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/opposition-mounts-against-irelands-tobacco-brand-ban-290075.html

 

I am not sure where I stand on drawing the line between prohibition and health oriented regulation and depending on who you listen to, the Aussie prototype of this approach has / has not worked particularly well in reducing smoking but it would appear to be the smoking lobby getting their snakey fingers in the door before it closes.

 

Any smokers on here with a view on how useful the move might be in helping them quit or prevent others from starting?

[Swan Red]

What are the Auusies doing / done? And in what sense is it not working

[£440,000]

I'm all for this, unless it can be shown that it actually causes more young people to smoke.

 

Anything that clearly stigmatises the act of smoking should be encouraged.

 

I'd be in favour of a ban on things like beer manufacturers being banned from sponsoring sporting events, gambling ads during football matches and fast food companies being allowed to sponsor events like the Olympics.

[Des]

gambling ads during football matches

 

Or just gambling ads full stop.

[aka Dus]

What are the Auusies doing / done? And in what sense is it not working

 

Plain branding for all different brands of cigarettes. This kind of thing:

 

I heard someone on the radio saying it had had no effect on rates of snoking but I think he was some kind of lobbyist.

[£440,000]

Or just gambling ads full stop.

 

Yeah, ban gambling ads and ban Ray Winstone too.

[aka Dus]

Or just gambling ads full stop.

 

A person on from Aiseírí the addiction treatment people last week saying they had identified that 25% of problem gamblers were addicted to online gambling. I was surprised it was so low. The amount of betting site spots on TV alone is incredible.

[Tommok]

I've been known to put an address label sticker over particularly horrible pics on my cigarette boxes before.

 

Not sure it made me cut down.

 

I suspect if they introduced those packs shown above, I'd maybe transfer the ciggies into something else.

 

I'm currently using an e-cig in place of most of my cigarettes but do still smoke regular cigs occasionally too but much less than before.

 

It's not clear to me why governments are still seemingly anti Ecigs - they seem to be a reasonable way of getting a nicotine hit without the other nasties in regular cigs.

[5InIstanbul]

Cue an imminent and massive money making opportunity for fancy/fun cig boxes.

[Duncan Disorderly]

Yeah, ban gambling ads and ban Ray Winstone too.

I'll 'ave some o' ahhhht!

[Swan Red]

Why should legal activities be banned from advertising?

[aka Dus]

Why should legal activities be banned from advertising?

 

That's the rub, isn't it.

[RP]

Why should legal activities be banned from advertising?

 

 

 

It's a very good question - one I've been pondering in this thread already.

 

As objectionable or offensive as you may find drinking (alcohol), gambling or smoking, they are all legal age-restricted activities in the UK. Banning them from advertising is censorship - what gives people the comfort and confidence to decide where the line should reasonably be drawn?

[Swan Red]

That's the rub, isn't it.

 

I think so, like the smoking thing I think less clear because if it was illegal I'm not sure many would be advocating legalisation. Gambling is different though and I don't know why gambling sites should be prevented from advertising.

 

It's a very good question - one I've been pondering in this thread already.

 

As objectionable or offensive as you may find drinking (alcohol), gambling or smoking, they are all legal age-restricted activities in the UK. Banning them from advertising is censorship - what gives people the comfort and confidence to decide where the line should reasonably be drawn?

 

see I agree with this but I'm less sure on smoking as if it were banned I wouldn't be advocating legalising it and I suspect most would agree. Gambling and drinking can be enjoyed responsibly though and I think that makes it different, somehow.

[RP]

I think so, like the smoking thing I think less clear because if it was illegal I'm not sure many would be advocating legalisation. Gambling is different though and I don't know why gambling sites should be prevented from advertising.

 

 

The element I really struggle with is the almost blanket coverage they seem to have during sporting events ... many of which sports have had match fixing issues. Doesn't stack up for me to have the advertising so closely linked to the event/sport itself.

[5InIstanbul]

The element I really struggle with is the almost blanket coverage they seem to have during sporting events ... many of which sports have had match fixing issues. Doesn't stack up for me to have the advertising so closely linked to the event/sport itself.

Im sure Im not the only one who thinks the odd case of match fixing is good for the gambling companies when you think about it. A bit of a loss on the fix, yet provides massive media exposure and public explanations of all the modern ways to gamble. Added to which it gives the gaming companies a platform to talk about safe gambling, cleaning up gambling and so on.

 

Not a bad return really.

[£440,000]

Why should legal activities be banned from advertising?

 

Don't think it's about them being legal. Things that are legal but detrimental to society should surely be controlled in some way. Don't think that's unreasonable.

[RP]

Im sure Im not the only one who thinks the odd case of match fixing is good for the gambling companies when you think about it. A bit of a loss on the fix, yet provides massive media exposure and public explanations of all the modern ways to gamble. Added to which it gives the gaming companies a platform to talk about safe gambling, cleaning up gambling and so on.

 

Not a bad return really.

 

 

No, I don't buy that one.

 

Any member of the public who has a bet wants to believe that they are betting on a genuine fixture ... unlesss of course they are 'on the inside'.

 

Match fixing isn't good for the industry in any way, in my opinion.

[Des]

Why should legal activities be banned from advertising?

 

Smoking's not illegal, but advertising it is.

 

I don't think it's bad for society to permit but not to encourage certain activities which are addictive. And I smoke.

Edited October 6, 2014 by Des

[RP]

Don't think it's about them being legal. Things that are legal but detrimental to society should surely be controlled in some way. Don't think that's unreasonable.

 

 

Whilst I don't disagree wit the principle, where do you draw the line?

 

Fatty foods? Sweets? Cars/petrol?

[Swan Red]

Don't think it's about them being legal. Things that are legal but detrimental to society should surely be controlled in some way. Don't think that's unreasonable.

 

Them being controlled and being banned from advertising are very different, there are already restrictions on tobacco advertising, and alcohol, I'd be surprised if there wasn't for betting but in any case gambling being detrimental to society is a big shout.

 

Smoking's not illegal, but advertising it is.

 

I don't think it's bad for society to permit but not to encourage certain activities which are addictive. And I smoke.

 

I'm asking why Des, I've also admitted the case is less clear on tobacco because I don't think tobacco can be enjoyed responsibly, that said I won't be an anti smoking ex smoker and people can still smoke in our car / house etc. But why should alcohol and betting be banned while other activities not? I'm generally opposed to state interference in peoples business without good reason and I think some of the reasoning on advertising flawed.

 

The addictive thing I think is also somewhat arbitrary, like coffee? Pain relief medicine?

[aka Dus]

Whilst I don't disagree wit the principle, where do you draw the line?

 

Fatty foods? Sweets? Cars/petrol?

 

Talk in Ireland of putting limits (and extra tax) on advertising fatty foods and sweet foods too - particularly toward minors, Though what is ruled in or out will be a free for all.

Edited October 6, 2014 by aka Dus

[RP]

Talk in Ireland of putting limits (and extra tax) on fatty foods and sweet foods too, Though what is ruled in or out will be a free for all.

 

 

Like I say, I don't necessarily disagree with the principle.

 

What about sugar?

Edited October 6, 2014 by RP

[aka Dus]

Like I say, I don't necessarily disagree with the principle.

 

What about sugar?

 

Good question.

 

The EU relocated the sugar production industry away from Ireland so at least the farmers won't be blocking the roads protesting about that.

[Gilps]

There are estimated to be at least 350,000 problem gamblers in the UK. It's enough for it to reasonably be described as a problem for society. I certainly don't think it's unreasonable to call for restrictions on advertising it.