Keep calm and carry on campaigning
Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 8:59 You've got to laugh.
I've just returned from seven days in Cuba and within twelve hours of landing the Guardian reported that the Government is to legislate on plain packaging:
Quite frankly, it could have been written by ASH.
I'm not saying it isn't true but I am reminded of the "confidence trick" that ASH boasted of having pulled off after MPs voted overwhelmingly for a ban on smoking in all public places. See Smoke and mirrors (July 19, 2006)
Given that it worked for them before I am pretty certain that they are up to their old tricks.
There is a long way to go before this particular battle is won or lost so don't despair and don't give up! In fact there are half a million reasons why we should keep on campaigning.
If you haven't done so already write to your MP today. It takes two minutes and is time well spent.
PS. In a written answer to Alex Cunningham MP, published yesterday, health minister Anna Soubry wrote:
The Department published the “Consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products” in April 2012. A consultation-stage impact assessment was published alongside the consultation.
The Department received many thousands of responses to the consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products, including standard postcard campaigns and petitions from a range of interested parties. A summary report of consultation responses will be published in due course, which will set out the numbers and categories of responses received.
The Government has an open mind on this issue and any decisions to take further policy action on tobacco packaging will be taken only after full consideration is given to the consultation responses, evidence and other relevant information.
If the Government has decided to implement plain packaging then Soubry has misled an MP (and everyone else) by claiming that it still has an "open mind" on the subject.
As I have written before, I like Soubry. She strikes me as a frank, honest, feisty politician so I would be surprised if she made a statement that was not in good faith.
Personally I believe it's wishful thinking on the part of ASH, CRUK and a "senior Whitehall source". Now, who could that be?!
Reader Comments (7)
I have stated repeatedly that plain packs is a tool that will be used to identify tobacco and cigarettes purchased without payment of duty. The day of the SMOKE POLICE will soon be upon us!
'Plain' packs will be introduced, that's a given. The consultation process is just theatre to dress the whole thing up as a 'democratic process'. The decisions were made long ago by a cosy cabal of Tobacco Control Industry lobbyists and the DoH.
I'm wondering when some enterprising chap will get permission from the major tobacco producers to make duplicate, branded cases with no warnings on them, so people can just slip the inner foil, complete with ciggys into the new box. I know the fellow in Aus has been selling stickers for the outside of packs, but a sturdy box that will last a month or two would be a better option. It would be particularly delicious if the pack replicated the original, pre-warning label packets.
Dear Gabi Coleman, use a cigarette case. There are lots of different styles available from Amazon and a large number of internet based independent traders. You can have any design you like on your own personal case or box. As this is what large numbers of people will do I wonder how they expect this stupid measure to have any impact at all.
Oh and don't forget to buy and wear your cigarette branded T-shirts with the logo of your choice. Then you can be a large, ambulatory protest against "plain" packaging.
Amazon won't allow the sale of ecigs on its site. How long before cigarette cases are banned?
The Mail carries a quote from the DoH.
Last night a Department of Health spokesman denied a decision had been taken on plain packaging, and said 'we haven't even looked at banning smoking in cars'.
These 'confidence tricks' are getting a bit boring. I mean, if the Prohibitionists in the DoH have already won the day, what is the point of the fake press releases?
Just seen David Cameron on Sky news, he said after a question was put to him about the above, he said no decision has been taken, we have to look at the evidence.