Government to enforce plain tobacco packaging?

[Paul Murray]

I read this today in the morning paper, and it was quite interesting to look at it from a designers' perspective;

BBC News - Make cigarette packaging plain, government urges

Basically, tobacco manufacturers could be forced to produce plain packaging for cigarettes and tobacco products because current packaging is promoting cigarettes in a positive, eye-catching manner.

Do they really believe that producing plain, brown boxes with just the brand name and a picture of cancerous lungs will deter people from smoking? Well, maybe if they used Comic Sans or Papyrus on there somewhere.

If you were redesigning the packaging based on this news, what would you do?

[CarmaCreative]

Brown packaging, with a big skull and cross bones in black on the front!

[Dave L]

Good zen question: what kind of a design is no design at all?

See Denis Leary's bit on cigarette packaging from No Cure for Cancer for a satirical take on this issue (I expect it's on YouTube somewhere).

[Esh]

Tesco's old black and white 'no frills' range...fills me with dread lol. :icon_yucky:

[Helen]

I think this is one of those cases where packaging doesn't matter. They could be in a completely white box, but people will still buy them.

[Paul Murray]

That's exactly what I thought when I read it.

I think they're trying to prevent youngsters starting smoking in the first place, which I believe has more to do with educating and prosecuting retailers who illegally sell tobacco products to children than what the packagin looks likes.

At the end of the day, if an adult makes the choice to start smoking, they'll do it no matter what.

[Katedesign]

One of my friends way back in time when everybody smoked has an ashtray shaped like a coffin. . . that was off putting!

[Paul Murray]

Wow, I bet it was :P

[kovah]

Stop selling them in packets at all.

Sell them in biodegradable brown paper bags of no more than five and make them double the price and use proceeds to go towards charities etc. Ban them in prisons so people arent hooked when they come out and force companies to reduce the nicotine/addictive substances in them.

[Logopro]

@kovah ~ I think you're forgetting that quite a hefty percentage of people smoke. Heavy handed tactics such as these will do NOTHING for society.

For instance: doubling the price for a quarter of the amount will just anger a lot of people who don't have much money in the first place (you're adding to the already horrendously difficult financial situation of many)

Lowering the amound of nicotine/addictive substances: People will just smoke more to get the same value as before = won't work.

Also: I don't know why smokers are demonized and viewed as "patients" by the population of people who don't because ultimately, if you NEED that cup of coffee in the morning you are in the same boat.

The stigma attached to smoking leads many smokers to have a very low self-esteem and therefore lowers the chances that they will want to attempt to give up.

In case you hadn't guessed already, I am a smoker. Not a heavy one at all but aside from my own prejudices about non-smokers I find it very difficult to come to terms with the attitude I get for nipping outside for five minutes while down the local - they all see you as needing to be "cured".....disgusting state of mind to have if you ask me.

In answer to the question at the top of this thread? I think that plain boxes and under the counter sales would prove a very good strategy in helping to stop kids getting into it (there is not much you can do for the adults that already do, you can't help people who don't want the help). also to keep better tabs on establishments who do sell to underage kids.

Gonna leave you with one more thought: Blame the parents.