How will selling cigarettes in plain packaging half the number of smokers?

[FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010]

I don't get it? It can't all be down to advertising that people start in the first place.

I don't know - unless they make all the prices the same then most smokers will still be able to buy their "preferred" brand anyhow as chances are they know exactly how much the one they smoke costs

It's an election thing I suppose. "quick! look like we give a shit about something"

I guess the idea is to prevent teenagers taking up smoking in the first place. It won't work.

I support the smoking ban but I think frankly, the balance is about right.

Banning smoking in public is actually good for the civil liberties of non-smokers, who are adversely affected by smoke - but banning newsagents displaying cigarettes will just drive business away from small shops to supermarkets. Banning branding is pointless.

And lets be honest a plain white pack of cigarettes would look cooler than most of the branded packs.
But I suppose the idea would be something along the lines of: If all the cigarettes are packaged the same then brand identity and marketing is useless, therefore cigarette companies will advertise less as it gives them no individual benefit, if the companies advertise less then less people will smoke.

but there's vitually no tobacco advertising allowed in the UK these days anyhow - can't remember the last time I saw something advertising/sponsored by a tobacco company.

It won't and the 'under the counter' thing will make it seem even more cool, in a speakeasy sort of way.

It will however make my brothers life easier, he is 22 years old and has an old packet of marlborough lights that he replenishes with cheaper 'Royals' to look good around his friends. meh.

I smoke - Amber leaf rollies - maybe 5 a day - 20 if I go out and get drunk. I choose to, and will stop soon, but only when I'm ready.

think B&H did either the snooker or the darts until a while ago but I'd agree there's virtually none, you don't really need to advertise to addicts.
I can't see it making any difference but was just having a stab at what their logic might be.

I'm a bit sick of this now... what's the next step? Getting them on prescription?

FFS, just ban it. Completely. Anything else is just a token gesture. Or perhaps the government needs 50% of smokers to continue paying the huge amount of tax on cigarettes? It's so hypocritical.

I say that as a smoker.

ooooooo yes would love to get them on prescription - I'd get them free being on benefits and all that

Damn, not on benefits... I'd just have to get pregnant to get them free on prescription.

Well then they would just rip you off ...

£7.20 for a pack of fags, no thanks.

Just like the bastards overcharged my grandparents. After my Grandad died we found he'd been paying full prescription charge for aspirin every week. He could have got the same for 30p in Tesco.

Seeing as most measures are about deterring new starters maybe they've found that the Wii generation are so bad at reading they'll be too embarassed to ask for ...errr... that one ... up at the top.... bit to the right....

The whole thing around plain packaging is just being researched at the minute and there are no plans to introduce it in the immediate future. The point of the display ban is to reduce the impact of cigarette marketing on children. Gantries are the only form of advertising left now to tobacco manufacturers and over time they have been getting bigger and more prominent. Research has shown that children are more influenced by this form of advertising than adults and therefore will be more likely to take up smoking as a result. The new measures are also to support smokers who are trying to quit.

It doesn't take research to indicate that a ban on the sale of tobacco would reduce the number of smokers, though... So why not do that?