I think not.
Plain packaging smoking materials, will not for one moment stop me smoking. I started smoking at school when someone offered me one. Although I went a violent shade of green and coughed for England, I was pleasantly surprised at the feeling of relaxation it gave me.
In all my life I’ve never been seduced by the colour or style of the packaging. It’s always been about the quality of the product and the price.
Of course now the price, is everything, and that’s why the antismoking Tobacco control industry and the government are heading into a world of hurt with the idea of plain packaging.
Which brings me onto why plain packaging should be abandoned.
Counterfeiting.
The health zealots insist that this is unlikely to happen. They have to say that as otherwise their whole premise falls.
Here are some facts about counterfeiting that I found interesting, especially as it comes from the garden of England, Kent.
A recent survey by MSIntelligence revealed Gillingham topped the table for having the worst habit when it comes to smoking counterfeit cigarettes, with more than half being illegal.
It found 54.5% of packets thrown away in the town had avoided tax, while Poole in Dorset came second (50.83%) and Worthing in Sussex third (49.24%). Mr Turner, who has owned the shop for the past 18 months, said: “When I heard about the plans for plain packaging I thought it was loopy.
Now I don’t live in the Medway area so unfortunately can’t avail myself of a cheaper product. But I would if I could. (If there’s bootlegger in West Kent reading this then please let me know).
These counterfeit ciggies can’t be that bad as I haven’t seen any reports that the people of Medway are dying like flies yet.
It seems that the government will be making a rod for it’s own back if it introduces plain packaging as revenues from tobacco products will fall dramatically.
For those antismoker out there. Mull on this.
Supposed costs for all smoking ailments costs the NHS £2.7 billion per annum.
However, revenue from tobacco products is £11 billion. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. (Oh I forgot, you’re antismoking bigots).
Believe it or not, smokers are subsidising the ailments of the antismokers.
So what if all smokers quit tomorrow.
The government would have to make up the shortfall.
Working out on the back of a fag packet (Natch), it would work out that every man, women, and child, would have to pay £250 to make up the shortfall.
So a family with two adults and two kids would be taxed £1,000 more per year.
This is the price you will pay if you're an antismoker. I hope you can afford it. I shall laugh like a drain when I read that dreadful Arnott from ASH has has her house repossessed because she can;t afford her mortgage.
It will serve you right.
