say wha?

[kierthos]

Major cigarette companies are suing over the new tobacco law.

Okay, it hardly comes as a shock that they are suing. I mean, I didn't expect them to roll over and take the new law quietly.

But they're suing to block the marketing restrictions of the new law, claiming that it violates their right to free speech.

Yeah.

What's one of those marketing restrictions? The mandated health warnings that will cover about half the pack, moving the brand name to the bottom of the pack, where it will be 'hard to see'.

Okay, I don't smoke. I really haven't ever. A couple in high school, and one a few years ago. That's about it. Asthma and smoking do not mix well. But I know a number of smokers. And I've seen a lot of people in front of me in lines at various gas stations and stores. Do any of them have any problem ordering their smokes? Why no. They know what brand they like and want, and the whole thing could be wrapped in a large label saying "WARNING: SMOKING THESE WILL FUCK UP YOUR LUNGS AND MAKE YOU DIE YEARS EARLY" and they would still smoke them.

In fact, some of these guys would probably be able to pick their brand out by the color of the pack, or by one exposed letter of the name brand on the carton.

So, I really don't have a whole lot of sympathy for the cigarette companies in this one.

Comments

[jdack.livejournal.com]

They're desperate. They've been losing numbers for years now, and not just to death. There's far fewer new smokers every year I think.

Smoking is extremely uncool these days.

And yeah, the warnings have always been stupid. Like anyone thinks smokes are good for you. Pfft.

As Mr. Leary said: "They could make cigarettes that come in a black pack, with a skull and crossbones on the side, called 'Tumors', and smokers would be lined up around the block going 'I gotta get my hands on these fuckin' things! I bet you get a tumor as soon as you light up!'"

[kierthos.livejournal.com]

Dude, there are still people who think the fucking Earth is flat. Somewhere out there are some deluded people who think smoking can't possibly be harmful.

[jdack.livejournal.com]

Those people can't read though, so warning labels are still useless.

[kierthos.livejournal.com]

*nod* You have a point there.

[kostika.livejournal.com]

Warning labels about smoking on cigarette packs is full of stupid. There isn't a smoker out there that isn't aware what smoking does. So putting a warning on the packs isn't really going to be effective.

They brought in the big warnings on pack here in the UK a year or so ago and I've always thought it stupid. It's like warning a pregnant woman that sex will get her pregnant. A little late on the warning.