Cigarette branding ... over and done?

[Belgian Pie]

Just saw a story in the paper that Europe (by 2014) is planning to follow Australia in introducing a generic packaging system for cigarettes.

Australia has become the first country in the world to ban the branding of cigarette packages. From next July, all packs will look like the one in the picture--they will be a deliberately unappealing olive green color, the brand of the manufacturer will be printed in a tiny, generic font (i.e. no trademarks) and the only images will be graphic health warnings. Thus the Australians are setting up an interesting, real world packaging test. What will happen when the new, generic packaging hits the shelves?

Now that's plain ...

[Battery9]

I thought your post was about people burning themselves with cigarettes.

[StuartCa]

if people stop smoking the governments of the world will have to raise taxes to make up the deficit in tax revenues. It's a sad day when a perfectly legal habit is victimized in such a way.

[Petrichor]

I'm sure I read somewhere that these images weren't very effective anyway.

[Nuit]

it's come a long way, so fast.

I remember long-haul flights in the 90s, seated just in front of the smoking section that was at the back of the plane. Wafts of nicotine washing forward over you.
Too young to remember the 'sit where you like and smoke' though.

[Belgian Pie]

I'm sure I read somewhere that these images weren't very effective anyway.

It's not about the images perse, but about the non-branding, colours, logos, making it (not)appealing to young new smokers ...

[Steviebike]

It's not about the images perse, but about the non-branding, colours, logos, making it (not)appealing to young new smokers ...

I think those cool new graphics will do the job on selling ciggies to kiddies. TBH I liked all the advertising and designs the cigarette brands used, but that was then and this is now. It's the right thing to do. Cigarette companies are focusing markets in like Taiwan, where the have more freedom. I think they will eventually get chased out of every country (read, heavily controlled). Does the tax revenue outweigh the cost of the health system?

[ceevee369]

Cigarette companies are focusing markets in like Taiwan, where the have more freedom. I think they will eventually get chased out of every country (read, heavily controlled). Does the tax revenue outweigh the cost of the health system?

I spent some time in the Sin industry and can tell you the following :
-Taiwan is now a heavy regulated market. Cheap pricing vs. wages are one of the main reasons people still smoke a lot. Marketing is almost sine qua non.
-Among all Asian countries, there is only one in which smoking incidence increases. That same country is still very liberal vs. smoking.
When L&M became the first brand equipped with the graphic health warning here , they had increased sales.
" cool" perception was the reason behind ... Sad but true.
-Tax vs health: each country has its mechanics and prognostic calculations behind that taxes should support required medical treatments.
Canada, Thailand are extreme " dark" markets thus the decrease of smoking incidence is not higher vs. other markets.
Anyway, when the tobacco industry has been shut down, next will be Alcohol.... A matter of time.

[Battery9]

it's such crap. I hate cigarettes, have never smoked, and never will....but if they want to do this, they need to put pictures of cars wrapped around trees on alcohol bottles.

[ceevee369]

it's such crap. I hate cigarettes, have never smoked, and never will....but if they want to do this, they need to put pictures of cars wrapped around trees on alcohol bottles.

Word - and more.
I hate as much strong Alcohol and anybody showing an exces consumption.
Having witnessed how devastating it works in a family/ in a society, the wrapped around the tree car would be the icing of something much much bigger, but which many deny under a " social drinking" excuse.

Anyway... Off-topic