Simon Chapman and Nicola Roxon on Five Live Breakfast
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 6:45 Apparently, Australia's number one anti-smoking campaigner Simon Chapman was on Five Live Breakfast this morning promoting plain packaging.
I caught his name on the car radio just before boarding the 6.30 train to London.
The programme also featured a report by the BBC's Sydney correspondent who told presenter Rachel Burden, "Early signs are plain packaging is having an effect".
I heard a brief comment from the former Australian health minister Nicola Roxon, under whose watch plain packaging was introduced, who trotted out the tired old research into people's reaction to plain packs that was carried out before their introduction.
In the short time I was listening the programme offered no further evidence - nor any balancing comment.
A moment later I was on the train and unable to listen further.
Did anyone hear the whole programme?
Update: Our old friend Stephen Williams MP writes, Stand up to Big Tobacco and help us win a vote in Parliament (Liberal Democrat Voice).
Liberal? Democratic? You decide. (Please comment.)
Reader Comments (4)
I'm afraid you won't get any serious questionng of anti smokers from Rachel Burden. She's keen on any health news nonsense and from her general chit-chat comes over as a woman most of us here would steer welI of - quite a health fascist. I don't suppose she asked the BBC correspondent exactly what the evidence is, because she would have had no interest.
Nicky Campbell, who does the phone in, is a different K O Fish. An ex smoker who clearly sympathises with smokers. There is a link to the programme on ASH UK news.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b039pbh1/5_live_Breakfast_10_09_2013/
21.00 min in
and
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b039pbh1/5_live_Breakfast_10_09_2013/
1.40.00
Nicky Campbell seemed quite fair, posed some good questions.
However, it was good to hear Chapman giving an early view of his excuses. ;)