EU adopts TPD so why do we need plain packaging?
Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 16:22 Update: Tough EU smoking rules approved (BBC News)
NEWS RELEASE Wednesday 26 February 2014
Campaigners question need for plain packaging of tobacco following adoption of revised a Tobacco Products Directive
The smokers' group Forest, which campaigned against revisions to the EU's Tobacco Products Directive, has questioned the need for standardised packaging of tobacco after MEPs voted to adopt a revised Tobacco Products Directive.
In addition to a ban on menthol cigarettes and ten packs, the Directive forces EU member states to increase the size of health warnings to cover 65 per cent of the front and back of the pack.
Simon Clark, director of Forest which ran the No Thank EU campaign, said:
"If health warnings are going to be even more prominent, dominating both sides of the pack, why on earth do we need plain packaging?
"At the very least the government should wait and see what impact the larger warnings have before introducing standardised packs which are opposed by so many people."
He added:
"Banning menthol cigarettes and ten packs is a serious attack on consumer choice that will do little to stop children smoking.
"The revised Directive is typical of the nanny state mentality that is prevalent not just in Brussels but also in Westminster."
Reader Comments (5)
Children don't smoke these days. The antis groom them to snitch on adults they see smoking.
I believe there was a case recently of a child who reported a taxi driver for smoking in his own cab. That also exposes the myth that kids shouldn't see adults smoke outside because it might make them want to smoke.
It clearly makes them want to report the smoker who is minding his or her own business instead.
These "charitable" and political frauds, charlatans and bullies, who hide behind children to attack legitimate consumers, should be exposed as only caring for kids if they can exploit them for their own ends and teach them the worst of human behaviour.
Our children should be learning about respect, tolerance and consideration. The antis are teaching them how to hate and fear.
Take heart, Pat. Usually these little goody-two-shoes snitches who instantly go running to teacher or mummy or daddy to tell on anyone who’s being naughty do a complete about-turn when they reach early teenhood. Then everything that mummy or daddy do (like avoiding tobacco smoke, refraining from drinking to excess, and jogging before breakfast) is deemed embarrassingly “uncool” and acts as a strong motivator for them to do the complete opposite – smoking like chimneys behind the bike sheds, drinking their bodyweight in lager and staying in bed for virtually the whole weekend, only emerging to forage for food or go to the loo. Then their parents wonder what happened to their perfect little angel when they’ve set such a “good” example. “Kevin the teenager” as portrayed by Harry Enfield springs to mind …
As someone who smokes Menthol cigs I am really upset and appalled. Does this mean I will not be able to buy them soon? If smoking is legal why shouldn't I have the choice to buy my favourite brand? My menthol cigs are one of my few pleasures in life. What is the reasoning behind this? Are they worse for your health than the cigs without menthol?
Snitches were normally dealt with quite severely when I was a kid. They, certainly, didn't do it again. Feminism has a lot to answer for.
Haphash - you are forbidden by law from enjoying smoking - that is the only reason menthol cigs have been banned. They're coming for you first to force you to quit so they can get us down to the small minority they can then criminalise.
Poundland does 200 menthol empty tubers for a £1 for you to fill with tobacco but perhaps even tubers will be banned if the tips contain menthol, I suppose.
It is downright mean. Perhaps you can find a way to add the menthol taste to hand rolled? Perhaps Rose knows about this because I feel sure she mentioned something about that ages ago.