UK mulls plain cigarette packs to cut smoking

[mickle]

Even if they were addicted (which they're not, it's because they enjoy it) .....

As if.

 

[redcard]

Even if they were addicted (which they're not, it's because they enjoy it) they still stick to the same brand because they like the taste. I've had the odd B&H, Silk Cut, Superking when I've been in a group outside a pub but always much prefer my (cheap) Marlboro.

You be trollin'

 

[Maz]

My doctor tried to help me give up smoking...
First he showed me a photo of a smoker's lungs - OMG! It was gross and disgusting!
Then he showed me a photo of some healthy lungs - OMG! It was gross and disgusting!

 

[Arch]

I'm watching my mum slowly dying from all her years of smoking

I wouldn't care if they band the lot. If anyone saw what has happened to my mum's face it would put them off for life.

Well, it might, or it might not. With one colleague diagnosed with terminal lung cancer last year, our other smoker gave up.

Well, he did for a bit, I noticed he was back on them last week (although he may be back on the wagon this week, it may have been a temporary lapse, as I didn't see him having a fag today).

Both these people were intelligent enough, and had bouts of giving up before, but never managed to stick with it. In one case, this is going to result in a widow and two small children with no Dad. If that's not enough to make someone stick at it, what is?

 

[Ashtrayhead]

[QUOTE 1810014, member: 45"]I could give up CycleChat any time I wanted.

I just don't want to.[/quote]

You're addicted!
Admit it!

 

[benb]

I don't believe it'll make a difference. I don't think kids start smoking because they like the packets, they do it for rebellion and because their mates do. Once they're hooked, that's it, and they'll settle on whatever brand they like. I imagine most kids buy their cigs a few at a time off adults, or smoke whatever they can blag.

Of course, the companies have to claim the brand matters, otherwise they admit they've spent a fortune on branding to little or no effect...

I'm not convinced, but even if you're right, it's not just about stopping children from starting to smoke. This measure is also aimed at combating the damaging "light" and "mild" image of silver and blue packaging. Read the link I posted upstream.

 

[ASC1951]

Even if they were addicted (which they're not, it's because they enjoy it) they still stick to the same brand because they like the taste.

Not true. Research shows that smokers cannot tell the difference between similar brands when the logos are removed.

 

[Maz]

Well, it might, or it might not. With one colleague diagnosed with terminal lung cancer last year, our other smoker gave up.

Well, he did for a bit, I noticed he was back on them last week (although he may be back on the wagon this week, it may have been a temporary lapse, as I didn't see him having a fag today).

Both these people were intelligent enough, and had bouts of giving up before, but never managed to stick with it. In one case, this is going to result in a widow and two small children with no Dad. If that's not enough to make someone stick at it, what is?

I know someone like this - he gave up, but was back on the ciggies again after 2 weeks. I asked him why he gave up - said he didnt have the will power and was now trying not to think about the dangers of smoking.

 

[GetAGrip]

Paris smells of dog shite and not Gauloises anyway!

Maybe it does, anyhow, off topic, but on another important point, I just had to say...............It's lovely to see those fantastic pins of yours, back on your avatar
Okay, sorry, I'm off now.

 

[Peteaud]

First off if you want to smoke, then its fine by me, its your choice. Just dont blow your smoke over me.


I never bought fags because of the packet design.

IMHO most smokers are addicted, and like the taste.

I loved the first one of the day, and ones with a coffee.

 

[MontyVeda]

am I reading some of these posts wrong or are some smokers actually claiming that they are not addicted??

Being a reluctant, yet somewhat happy smoker, I know full well I'm addicted, especially when i'm gagging for a roly. I also love bacon butties, but can't recall ever 'gagging' for one. There's a shop in town which sells butter pies (yumyumyum) and the best pork pie I've ever experienced. I love pies, but have never 'gagged' for one.


with regards to whether or not selling ciggies in a plain pack will cut smoking... of course it will, or at least appear to. Smoking in the UK and has been in steady decline for decades. Every year more and more people stop smoking (often through choice, often through death) whilst the take up new smokers continues to slowly and steadily decline.

Armed with this data, any initiative, no matter how insignificant will 'appear' to have a positive affect on smoking in the UK and 'they' can all pat themselves on the back for a job well done.

 

[slowmotion]

I'm sure that there are some health professionals urging HMG to tax bacon butties and pork pies into extinction, as we speak. I'd stock up.

 

[Peteaud]

I'm sure that there are some health professionals urging HMG to tax bacon butties and pork pies into extinction, as we speak. I'd stock up.

Well they would never tax a pastie surely

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

It shows how out of touch and arrogant this totalitarian government has become. Smokers don't buy fags because of a nice shiny packet, they buy them because of the taste. Like zimzum, I get mine abroad or from my local entrepreneur who sells them out of the back of his white van. Starve the beast. They hate me, so they can't have my money.

Unfortunately it's drinkers and 'fatties' who are next in the firing line. We've already had the minimum pricing announced and now they're using the same anti-tobacco template to go after the 'obese'. When I see the pasty, fat-faced, wobbly jowled politicians and 'experts' who come up with these nannying diktats, I wonder how on earth they manage to keep a straight face as they lecture us on what we can and can't put in our bodies.

I do agree with you being an ex smoker and that. I have already heard the Tories mentioning taxing cheap alcohol to stop binge drinking and hopefully curb anti-social behavior. Unfortunately I cannot see this deterring binge drinkers at all, it will just hit the normal working man/woman whom enjoys a couple of cans a night or sharing a bottle of wine a night as let's face it they can no longer afford to go to the local (if it still exists and has not closed down that is), which in-turn will make the government a total fortune. Still what's the point complaining there is sod all you can do about it except give up all your vices. Fortunately I am not that much of a fatty

 

[rollinstok]

Cannabis, cocaine, heroin etc are all illegal yet readily available to anyone
Smokers are being clobbered so more and more buy smuggled fags
Drinkers are being clobbered and bars are closing rapidly, there is a growing market for illicit booze
I often wonder if governments are purposely creating a market for criminals