There is a case for both sides in reality. The cigarette manufacturers claim that this will trigger a rise in illegal sales and imports. But will this really happen? Surely if you smoke, you are going to have your own particular liking for a type of cigarette. It has to be one of them brands that get a loyal following from its buyers. Certain brands like Silk Cut and Marlboro have such a strong brand identity and brand loyalty that I don't think it matters how the packaging looks, but I may be wrong.
In this country along with France, Iceland and Belgium, we are in favour of more neutral plain packaging that will carry just a plain text warning on the box.
My problem with banning on pack branding, is how far should it go. Personally if people want to smoke themselves to death, then so be it. We all know the dangers and the horrible health problems that can arise from smoking but what about alcohol advertising?
Alcohol abuse costs this country far more than smoking. Not only the negative health associations but from a social perspective. Think about all the top design agencies and how many of them have alcohol brand designs as part of their portfolio. I would guess that more than 80% have at some time designed some packaging for alcohol. So why is there not the same stigma attached? It causes more problems for society and families on the whole but on the other side, is somehow more socially acceptable.
Can you imagine if the government proposed a ban on all alcohol advertising. How much revenue would be lost across the whole media spectrum. Some magazines wouldn't be able to survive. Some Marketing and Design companies would seriously have to adapt to other markets and no doubt there would not be enough work for everyone. Not just from a revenue perspective but could you imagine how boring your local pub would look with generic packaged drinks in it. Surely part of the experience of going out to a pub is the brand experience of your favourite drink and your perspective on how you are seen drinking that particular brand.
Whilst I don't smoke I wouldn't like to see the proposed changes take place. I see it as another design opportunity disappearing just like the much lamented record album sleeves which used to be the bread and butter of many designers. Now all we get if we are lucky on our MP3 tag is a picture of the artist.
So whilst I can understand the reasoning behind the proposals, there are more pressing health and social problems that also need tackling, not only alcohol abuse but the rising problem of drug abuse which is steadily rising every year. It is not a case of if, but when cigarettes are banned totally, because of our addictive personalities, no doubt there will be something else that we will become fixated with that will do us more harm than good.
Finally, the one thing I do miss is the older style packaging which makes most of the current brands plain enough anyway.
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