The other night I saw an ad protesting the 'nanny state' of plain packaged cigarettes. (Via ABC News)
I was really surprised that they bothered to make it. You can see what they're trying to do, putting forward how smokers are adults, smoking is legal, look how crazy the nonsmokers are!
All they're doing is changing the packaging. There have been gross pictures of the effects of smoking on the packets for years, if that hasn't put you off, blank packaging won't have a chance. If price increases don't put you off, nothing will. If the fact that you're paying someone to kill you slowly hasn't stemmed your appetite for it, well, yeah, nothing will.
Let me say that again. When you smoke, you are giving a big corporation your money. In return, they are going to gift you with cancer, bad breath and a fun bag of other health problems. (NLM) I just really don't see why anyone would want to do that. Especially when you read what they put in those damn things.
Some people try to make it into a proud, defiant movement. 'I'd give up smoking, but I'm no quitter!' or 'You gotta die of something.' Movies of old made smoking look so glamorous, it was the thing to do. Everyone did it. Then everyone started to get sick and sue the tobacco giants. It was made known how bad it really was for you. They weren't allowed to advertise at sports events anymore. Other advertising had to be cut down as well.
What bothers me about this advert is that first of all, it's making out like the government is going to ban smoking. Hell, I'd love them to, but that won't happen anytime soon. It's a huge cash cow for them all. Secondly, it tries to say that the state is treating adults like children, questioning their choices and restricting them when really, it's trying to make smoking less attractive.
Brands sell. MacDonald's, Unit, Playboy, Apple products - they're all going to make ten times more than lesser known brands without even trying. This new legislation is hoping that by making smoking less about cool brands and more about looking cheap and 'home brand', it won't appeal to people and especially children so much.
No one objects to advertising laws governing the reduction of fast food advertising to children. It makes sense, doesn't it? I recall something similar about vodka products being marketed towards young teens and drinkers happening a few years back.
My third problem with this advert is that it keeps saying how the smokers are adults, and they don't need to be babysat. They do. I'm sure this won't apply to every smoker in existence, so please keep in mind this is from my experiences and is my general opinion.
Smokers don't keep to their designated smoking areas. Smokers will leave their child on a playground or water park ALONE while they hike the four metres back to have a 'quick one'. Smokers feel entitled to more breaks at work, while non-smokers miss out because they *don't* have an addiction. Smokers will smoke in their own homes and cars regardless of if they have kids around or non-smokers. Smokers who are perpetually broke will always have enough money for their habit.
I went on a P&O cruise in 2009 and while I enjoyed it, I was disgusted by all the smokers. Yeah, most of them kept to their smoking deck although a few did stray inside the ship on purpose. The worst part was when we got off at the islands. Straight away, they just have to light up. Sitting on the beach, we couldn't enjoy the scenery because we had to keep wafting smoke out of our faces. When the smoking finally ceased, instead of only taking photographs, memories and leaving only foot prints... there was a veritable crater of butts and ash.
Some of these tourists were British, and I understand smoking laws are sometimes lax in other parts of the world. Why would you travel the world just to trash it though? Even Australians. I've worked in several different jobs and workplaces and it's no different. People just light up wherever they want. Standing right outside the office door so people like me can't have fresh air? Sure. Looking surprised when I tell them they can't smoke at the counter? Naturally. Really needing a coffee so they just 'pop in' to the staff rooms with a lit one so that room gets stunk out too? Why the hell not.
It's not like second hand smoke ever hurt anyone! ...Wait. Oh yeah, IT DOES. You may want to smoke, that sure as hell doesn't mean I want to. Doesn't mean your kids who don't know any better want to be around you when you smoke. Doesn't mean the people that love you want to sit around and watch you kill yourself in this pathetic act of euthanasia. It's horrible to watch someone hack their lungs up and know that a cough drop won't fix it, or to be there in the hospital being told that the medical staff can't do anything else for them after what they've already done to themselves.
After seeing all that on a daily basis, there's no way a stupid advert like 'The Nanny State' could ever be as effective as the 'Every Cigarette Is Doing You Damage' ones. People like to make comparisons, in this case I've heard about banning booze because of unpleasant belches, doing away with curries in case some one's fart offends someone else, or even prohibiting orgasms, in case the cries of ecstasy hurts our delicate ears. Fast food comments are also typical.
Well that's a bit apples and oranges, isn't it? There are laws against vast alcohol consumption in public bars and advertising is not to be aimed at children. Curries.. well, that's just stereotypical. I doubt that hearing someone else climax will affect me in a negative way, unlike second hand smoke. Hmm, actually it depends where they do it. I doubt I'd be pleased if I came home and found two naked whatsits going rutty on my ruddy doorstep. Likewise, if someone chooses to kill themselves with junk, it won't affect me physically.
The tobacco companies are using the word 'rights' like a shield but stabbing with smoky swords that say 'Hey, I heard those pansies hate everything you stand for!'
Yeah! All those horrible things we stand for!! Like.. fresh air? Being healthy? Having a choice? Being able to go to a party and not come back smelling like burning ass of death?
I hope Phillip Morris fails in this lawsuit for obvious reasons. You've had enough time to harm people and make a profit out of it - and you know it. Who could have faith in a company that denounces its spokesmen as soon as they fall ill? (Via Snopes)
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