Thread: Australian court OKs logo ban on cigarette packs

Originally Posted by MickR

If the Australian government was serious, it would just ban tobacco, however they are just a reflection of todays Australian. You just have to look at how the government farts around and does nothing of any real value, unless you call window dressing valuable, to get an idea of the sort of people Aussies are today. There are always normal people in the fringes of course, but they're as powerless, or as apathetic as everyone else in this country. We have a weak government and an even weaker population, who just sit back on their respective arses and spout good old Aussie phrases like "She'll be right mate", which is just a lazy excuse to do nothing whatsoever about any given situation.
We are a bunch of wowsers! We are also a bunch of whingers! Bitching on this forum, about what the goverment is doing, is going to do bugger all about the subject. Bitching to the government, and having your voice heard is the only hope of having anything done...Unless those government ears are deaf from hearing the louder voice of the opposite faction. Which does seem to be the case here. I know I signed petitions against this move, but many wouldn't have.
As a smoker, I always try to keep it to the areas designated for smokers when in public (though they are few and far between), and even then I try to show my fellow public the respect they deserve, by asking first if they mind me lighting my pipe. It gives them the chance to make a decision for themselves. At home I go outside and shut the door so my children don't have to breathe my secondary smoke. My neighbours don't have a say in it, but they're all more than the lawful required minimum distance away anyway.
I can go days (weeks in fact) without having a smoke, but the fact is, I actually enjoy it for reflection and thought time. A way to slow the pace down for a few minutes. Just my two bobs worth anyway.


Mick

When I get a bad attack of liver , I find a writing a letter to the West Australian, and even being occasionally published helps !!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

How do you figure ? You pay an extremely high tax rate in general ... not to mention the sales tax. Don't get me wrong, I think it is worth it .... OTOH, like Nelson Rockefeller said, "There is no such thing as a free lunch."

Our tax rate isn't as horrible as some in the American media would have you believe. We're actually only a few percentage points higher than the US, and the federal sales tax (GST) is only 5%. Technically MWS is correct, the government does pay the hospital bill here as we don't pay for health care; the sin tax just goes into general revenue anyway.

Buy a cigarette case, toss the package. In fact do it right there at the store where you buy the cigs. Cigarette cases are classy. In fact, if I lived in Australia, I might make a killing selling cig cases with a law like this.

Originally Posted by heelerau

When I get a bad attack of liver , I find a writing a letter to the West Australian, and even being occasionally published helps !!

I've done the same on the odd occassion as well mate. I've found myself published, and even more recently, front page news in one of the local papers here. This was the second time I was quite the media tart. .


Mick

I saw that article Mick. All I can say is thank God someone found you some clothes before the entire nursing home fainted!

James.

Originally Posted by MickR

I've done the same on the odd occassion as well mate. I've found myself published, and even more recently, front page news in one of the local papers here. This was the second time I was quite the media tart. .


Mick

Well some of those old ducks seemed quite excited...


Mick

Since our governments are SO concerned with our health and well being, why only target cigarette smoking? Why not replace all fast food logos with graphic depictions of the morbidly obese on all fast food packaging? How about posters showing the mangled bodies of accident victims at all airports, train stations, and at automobile dealerships? Shouldn't all aerosol spray cans have photos of dead huffers? All contact sports equipment packaging should graphically depict spinal cord and brain injury victims. Etc., etc.... It seems strange to apply this principal to only one product that poses a threat of danger when there are so many more.

FYI-This also seems to apply to cigar packaging.

Michael

Originally Posted by honedright

Since our governments are SO concerned with our health and well being, why only target cigarette smoking? Why not replace all fast food logos with graphic depictions of the morbidly obese on all fast food packaging? How about posters showing the mangled bodies of accident victims at all airports, train stations, and at automobile dealerships? Shouldn't all aerosol spray cans have photos of dead huffers? All contact sports equipment packaging should graphically depict spinal cord and brain injury victims. Etc., etc.... It seems strange to apply this principal to only one product that poses a threat of danger when there are so many more.

They are doing the above re fatty food, and car accidents. We now have the fat police, parents can be reported for having fat kids. I tell you it is great down under!!

Everyone is going to do what they want to do anyway, but maybe, as a society, or even as an individual we should not promote unhealthy stuff; but promote healthy stuff. Really, for me, that would extend to all facets of my life. That's not to say I DO it, but I'd LIKE to do it. If I were to vote for or against advertising ciggies, I'd go for a 'nay'. I'd even go for a 'banishment' if they could be banished. I'd also go for a banishment of a lot of other stuff given a vote. That's not to say I wouldn't partake; I generally partake in WAY too much for my health. I do yearn for a simpler, healthier, more natural and good life, and if I've gotta tell someone to take that shit away and keep it away from me, then, in a moment of strength and grace, I should say that. Has anyone ever listened to their wife when she said 'That's enough to drink/smoke/eat' etc? Is this not the same? It's not the rules or the 'power' that's the issue, it's where it's at. Have you ever got the wife to hide your smokes and give you just five a day, in the hope you'd cut down and give up? In this instance, I don't mind me and my kids and grandkids being protected, sometimes I can't do it myself.