There is something Quixotic about that High Court decision requiring tobacco to be sold in " plain packaging ". Even that terminology is a misnomer ! The packaging will be far from " plain ". It will be deliberately designed to be repulsive and it will feature lurid pictures of human diseases, said to be caused by the use of nicotine. It is openly stated that the aim of this new packaging requirement is to influence smokers to cease the habit !
Where this new law walks a thin line is the inescapable truth that tobacco remains a legal product ! The same government that wishes to deter smokers from buying cigarettes seems unconcerned that the farming of tobacco leaf is a major cash crop in both New South Wales and Queensland, and the Federal budget happily collects a huge tax bonanza from the excise on tobacco. There seems to be no plans to substitute other crops for tobacco and the government is saying that if big Tobacco drops the price of cigarettes, it will immediately increase the tobacco tax to keep the product expensive - and of course that would simply add to the amount of tax going into government coffers.
The big question is whether the withdrawal of popular branding and it's replacement by disease illustrations will convince people to stop buying - and using - the product !
Smoking statistics have been dropping for years. There seems little doubt that nicotine injures the heath of those who smoke and that tobacco is the cause of many early deaths. It is an addictive product, but then so is marijuana, cocaine, heroin and various other " social drugs " which are subjected to draconian laws. All these are deemed to be illegal and getting caught trading them can result in serious gaol time. Why not simply add tobacco - and make it another illegal product ?
That question brings a deathly silence. No side of politics - including the fanatical Greens - seems inclined to take a world first and face the wrath of those addicted to a product that will most likely trim years off their life span. There is no chance that making tobacco illegal would stop the flow of nicotine to those who desire it. The huge efforts that have gone into drug eradication have failed miserably. Anybody seeking marijuana, cocaine or heroin has no problem finding a pusher. If tobacco was illegal, it would simply join the trade making the drug barons rich.
Some tobacco users would probably feel relief if tobacco became illegal. It would be the pivot point to supply the incentive to kick the habit. There is a big difference in going into a shop and buying a product over the counter - and seeking out a criminal and committing a punishable offence. We have taken a world first with this packaging legislation and it is likely that many other countries will follow in our footsteps. Would taking a step further and imposing a total tobacco ban not be logical ?
Perhaps that is a decision for some time in the future. The necessity for politics to determine choices seems to favour incremental steps rather than giant strides. There is the loss of farming votes to be considered if a major crop is outlawed and the Treasurer would pale at the thought of a huge budget hole if tobacco excise ceases.
The parliament should be congratulated on having the nerve to take an expensive roll of the dice and survive a High Court challenge. Unfortunately, the next courageous step may be a long time coming !
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