Plain packaging: the Law of unintended consquences kicks in

[-:Undertaker:-]

Worth a watch (short video) at the idiocy of sweet sounding policies having negative effects.

Essentially the point is that EU legislation of plain packets for cigarettes will simply a) increase black market goods b) put companies out of business.

Thoughts?

[Kardan]

So black market goods will increase how? Because all packs will be easier to 'copy'? I suppose it would increase, but why would you buy black market goods in the first place, you should realise if it's cheap, there's probably something fishy about it...

Personally I think packaging of cigarettes would only appeal to younger kids who like shiny things, I think young teenagers are wise enough to see past that really, so I don't see how it will change much. I think hiding them from display is probably successful enough.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Ironically those who will be more likely to buy black market cigarettes will be younger people (children) as a) they'll be cheaper & b) easier to get hold of. This is what you get when you meddle in the market, even worse results than the thing your trying to stop.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions as they say.

[AlexJRiley]

Itll increade black market goods as the video said because if its plain white, theres nothing to fault with it. Whenever watching the import programmes on TV they can generally always find a fault with the packaging that an expert would nothing. If its just plain white you cant make any packaging errors.

[Adam]

Let people kill themselves, I say. Just tax it to hell and back.

[FlyingJesus]

Mmmm tasty lead and cadmium

tbh if you're worried that it'll be young smokers who suffer more from this then it's a wasted effort on your part, since counterfeit cigarettes are already such a massive issue that a rise in black market availability will do little to nothing - anyone who cares enough to buy "healthier" (lol) cigs will always do it from shops anyway, and those who just want a cheap smoke are already able to get that regardless of what picture is printed on it. The far more pressing matter is the one of business shutting down and loss of revenue, and any argument against this move (which I quite agree is ridiculous and will do no good at all) should be based around that rather than speculations on illegal purchases

[GommeInc]

Isn't that like saying if the vodka industry had to have plain packaging, people wouldn't buy the usual vodka such as Smirnoff because, for reasons unbeknownst to rational thought, Smirnoff Vodka would change flavour and desire, while the blackmarket would be rife with nicer tasting vodka? Same with the chocolate industry. Would you really buy unknown blackmarket chocolate because Cadbury's packaging had to become plain and white? It's still Cadbury's chocolate, just without the iconic purple wrapping.

The black market wouldn't see an increase in interest if Bensons and Hedsons had to have plain packaging. They've still got that smooth, fine flavour but without the gold or silver packing. Smoke up, kiddies!

[Chippiewill]

Margins on black market cigarettes are to the point where they don't care if you have to counterfeit complex or plain packaging. Really makes zero difference.

[.DnB]

They've already put massive screens up in the shops so people cant see the baccy and ****, i dont see the point of this extra step...
also YES it will make 'black market' ones easier to make, the little shops that sell **** and baccy under the counter will just be able to sell people any old ****... its bad enough with the screens up, i noticed prices went up at that exact time but you cant see the bloody prices any more, hmmmm very suspicious to be fair