Australian
parliament passed legislature banning brand labels on cigarette and
tobacco packages, forcing all companies selling in the country to
have their products placed in solid olive packages, with no mention
of brand. This is just one of many tough anti-smoking laws in the
country. Europe, Canada, and New Zealand have all made similar strict
laws on tobacco products; Bhutan banned the sell of any products
completely. Such laws have angered the big tobacco companies, who
plan on fighting the courts in Australia. Australian Health Minister
Roxon wants to reduce the market of these “deadly products” the
tobacco companies want to sell. But with any prohibition, black
market sales are expected to happen. Arguments have arisen whether or
not countries can implement such bans. However the WTO gives
governments the right to pass laws protecting public health.
Australia already has bans on tobacco advertising, smoking in public
buildings, and displaying cigarettes in shops. It is even illegal to
smoke in a car with a child. The goal of this new legislature is to
hopefully cut the number of smokers down from 15 percent to 10
percent of the population by 2018. The tobacco market in Australia
generated over $10 billion in sales in 2010, up from $8.3 in 2008.
Tobacco
products cause over 5 million deaths worldwide each year and there is
an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide who use tobacco products.
Studies and research throughout the years have proven time and time
again that tobacco use can cause death, whether though cancer or
other diseases. The US spends on average over $92 billion a year on
tobacco related health problems. So why, with all the research
available, do people continue to use these products. Countries all
over the world are creating stricter laws against the products. (no
public smoking, warning labels on packaging, age restrictions, etc.)
This is a huge social problem that the world is fighting with no
avail. The big tobacco companies fight hard to lift restrictions
simply to keep making a profit, all while knowingly selling products
that can kill people.
http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/nm/us_australia_smoking
2 comments:
Tobacco is a horrible drug to get addicted too but this ban of labels not only takes money away from the large companies but also from the economy. Like you said, this will turn to the black market and may even become as serious as the illegal selling of marijuana and other drugs.
People will smoke regardless of the laws that Australia puts in place. I know many people who smoke in spite of the health issues they may encounter by using tobacco. The packaging may be seen as a joke and probably will make no difference.
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