Scary photos are intended to quit smoking

Scary photos are supposed to quit smoking by Australians

05/30/2012

Australia wants to introduce the world's toughest cigarette advertising laws. Creepy pictures of, for example, rotten teeth, purulent ulcers and black smoker's lungs are supposed to spoil any Australian's desire for the glow stick. Now the tobacco industry is resisting the plans of the Australian government.

In future, smokers will only see dissuasive pictures on cigarette packs
In the future, there should no longer be conventional packaging for cigarettes in Australia. Regardless of the brand, from the first of December uniform unappetizing brownish-green boxes with deterrent images of, for example, cancerous and smoker's legs and death alerts will be sold. Only very small may the brand name appear. Australia wants to use the most stringent laws against tobacco advertising worldwide. By contrast, the tobacco companies are now suing the highest court in Canberra.

Judging by the judges, if the advertising ban on tobacco is lawful and implemented, other countries, such as New Zealand and the United Kingdom, are planning to introduce such strict laws. „The world is looking to Australia, "said Margaret Chan, head of the World Health Organization (WHO), at the World Tobacco Congress in Singapore in March. „If we stand shoulder to shoulder, no tobacco industry can survive. "This year's World No Tobacco Day, held annually on May 31 and launched by WHO, will focus on the tobacco industry and its machinations.

Due to the strict anti-smoking policy, great success has been achieved in Australia. While in Germany according to the current drug and addiction report of the Federal Government and the Federal Statistical Office (2009) 30.5 percent of men and 21.2 percent of women smoke, in Australia in 2010, only 16 percent of men and 14 percent the women. In 1977, the smoking rate was still 43 percent of men and 29 percent of women.

Australia reduces duty-free import volumes for cigarettes
The Australian government goes one step further. From July, duty-free import volumes will be drastically reduced. While currently 250 cigarettes may be imported duty-free, it will be only 50 in the future.

Despite the strict anti-smoking policy, not every Australian thinks of quitting. Tony Donovan from Sidney does not want to spoil the joy of smoking: „I have been a smoker for nearly 30 years and I really can not imagine doing anything about it because of a change in the law. Of course, every child knows that smoking harms their health, yet everyone has to decide for themselves whether or not they will continue to smoke.“ However, the cost could be a good argument to quit smoking, Donovan said. „A box costs a whopping $ 20.“ Donovan's wife Elise has already said goodbye to the stink of a year and a half ago: „After countless unsuccessful attempts, I have tried hypnosis to quit smoking. That helped me in the end.“

Tobacco companies fear enormous profit slumps due to the new packaging regulations. David Crow, head of British American Tobacco (BAT) in Australia, is outraged and cites another argument: „If everything looks the same, companies like mine can only compete on the price. Then cigarettes become cheaper. Then more is consumed, more children smoke. "In addition, Crow sees no reliable evidence that unattractive cigarette pack would scare off potential smokers.The tobacco company Philip Morris sees uniform packaging critical because they are easier to fake: „Counterfeit cigarettes can contain rat droppings, glass fiber and higher concentrations of toxic chemicals. "

Ultimately, however, the tobacco companies rely on the trademark rights. Japan Tobacco International (JTI) explains: „Neutral packaging no longer allows us to use our brand, and as a consumer goods manufacturer, that is our most valuable asset.“ „That's what we think is an expropriation that violates the Constitution, "said JTI," So far, no verdict has yet been pronounced. "In April, BAT's spokesman Scott McIntyre said at the hearing: „As a legal company selling a legal product, we will defend our property on behalf of the shareholders. "(Ag)