Today’s post is about plain packaging on cigarettes, which has become a trend with any cigarette regulation or smoking regulation in many countries including Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
But yeah, what are my general thoughts on plain packaging? I think plain packaging is probably the best sort of smoking regulation you can do.
Hollywood, magazines, and even Marlboro advertisements make cigarettes look cool. Let's be honest here, it's true. One thing that makes a cigarette look cool is the packaging. People like to think smoking is cool, but the classic Marlboro red packaging really makes it look cool in my opinion.
Introducing blank packs is a good tactic
So to cut down on people buying different cool packages and stuff like that, you start introducing blank packs. For me, this is an excellent tactic for smoking regulation. It would be annoying, yes, but I think it's better than a menthol ban, better than banning cigarettes overall, and better than a nicotine cap or banning flavored cigarettes.
Perhaps the most effective way to reduce smoking in young children - without having any impact on the smoking majority, who are happily going to use and enjoying successful vaping devices. For the most part, it is just a bunch of packaging. I mean, obviously, I love the packaging on smokes. The detail is mind-blowing, but you know what, I will accept this for the ability to still smoke menthol cigarettes. On a different note, I would rather have the cigarette stink disappear from society, even if they are in plain packages.
Smokers would accept the plain packaging but not the cigarette ban
This might be a controversial stance, but I like it, and I think it's better than the menthol ban. If they're going to do anything, I would much rather they do this than the menthol ban. If any legislator is looking out here, take my word on it: just do plain packaging instead of the menthol ban. I think everybody, maybe not everybody, but I know I would be happier with that.
Again, I know this is a bit of a controversial stance, especially in the cigarette community. I know a lot of people hate blank packaging. That's just my opinion. I highly encourage it if you discuss and want to see any points you guys can bring up to make me think differently.
I have seen people really do enjoy the Marlboro Southern Cuts. They are absolutely gas, and I really do enjoy them.
Stripping away the brand colors will show the true colors of smoking
Think about it: when you see a sleek, well-designed pack of cigarettes, it can almost seem like a fashion accessory. The marketing behind cigarette packaging is incredibly powerful. By stripping away the branding, the product becomes less about its image and more about its true nature. It's just tobacco. It is the reality of smoking, not the glitz, glamour, and allure. In addition, such plain packaging would keep the health risks of smoking at the forefront of the Packbot. With warnings off the pack instead of logos and colors, the pack becomes a stark warning of the dangers of smoking. This, in turn, would discourage people from beginning in the first place - a massive win for public health.
Regulations are there for a good reason
Because the regulations are there for a reason. Naturally, there will always be a lot of opposition against any such actions. As humans, we do not take well to change — especially when it impacts something we love. But, they are there for a reason. The aim is to decrease smoking rates and better public health, and basic packaging is a part of that process.
Conclusion
So in a nutshell, plain packaging may not look as super cool, but if that means we can live in a world filled with healthy lungs, it seems a small price to pay. So, this is a very practical and useful step in discouraging smoking, most importantly among the youth. Well, if plain packaging is about saving lives and fewer kids take up smoking, then it must be worth it. Plain packaging on cigarette boxes turns out to be an ideal attack on smoking, one that allows adults to do as they choose while actually helping public health.
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