Plain packs, plain stupid
Friday, March 7, 2014 at 9:56 
I'm pleased to announce the launch of a new campaign website.
Here's an edited version of the press release for Plain Packs Plain Stupid.
Campaigners launch new website to fight plain packaging of tobacco
The smokers' group Forest Eireann has launched a new website to fight plans to introduce plain packaging of tobacco in Ireland.
The site, which has a sludge brown background to highlight the dull packaging proposed by Health Minister James Reilly, lists some of the consumer arguments against standardised packs.
It also features a campaign video, 'The Burning Issue', that features interviews with smokers in Dublin.
John Mallon, spokesman for Forest Eireann, said:
"The proposed legislation is not fit for purpose. Advocates say plain packaging will deter children from smoking.
"People start smoking for many reasons, often peer pressure, but packaging isn't one of them.
"I don't know any smoker who began because they were attracted by the packet. It's nonsense.
"Plain packaging is gesture politics. It won't stop children smoking but it might encourage an illicit market in branded or counterfeit packs.
"We urge the government to abandon this reckless experiment that could do far more harm than good."
Click on this link to visit the Plain Packs Plain Stupid website.
Reader Comments (3)
It won't stop children smoking because children do not smoke these days thanks to lots of sensible restrictions that weren't around in the 50s, 60s, 70s, or 80s. To compare kids then with kids now is like comparing apples and oranges.
Today's kids are just the excuse the anti-smoker industry uses to get its own ideological way and that is to ruin the tobacco industry and criminalise the consumer.
If those kids grow up to be legal age adult smokers, then they'll be abused by tobacco control just like the rest of us.
Young people of legal tobacco consumer age won't be affected by plain packaging either but make no mistake, this is not about "the children" it's about punishing adults who refuse to quit smoking and it is driven by spite and not concern.
Unfortunately, web site link is not working.
Sorted, thanks.