Like with tobacco reform, there are numerous Liberal MPs who privately agree with their conservative allies that something has got to be done on pokies reform. But tonight’s Four Corners missed the point.
Tobacco lobby
Tobacco lobby’s plain-pack threat not based on reality
British American Tobacco’s long threatened campaign against plain packs kicked off today. Has there ever been a more complete demonstration of Shakespeare’s “the lady doth protest too much”?
Smokers already being ripped off — plain packaging is just insulting
Australia’s four million-odd smokers had already been paying an extra $5.5 billion a year in tax to smoke, or about $1250 each. Plain packaging is just insulting, says economist and researcher Adam Creighton.
Trademark attorney: Tobacco companies have no case on plain packaging
No doubt there will be more huffing and especially puffing from the cigarette companies about the requirement to use plain packaging, but their case is futile, says patent and trademark attorney Glen Gordon.
On ciggies, Australia the world leader in public health reform
Plain cigarette packaging was removed from the public health agenda in the ’90s due to the threat of legal action. But in 2010, it seems governments won’t be so easily scared off by this legal hot air, write Becky Freeman and Professor Simon Chapman.
Mission Australia under fire for tobacco links
Mission Australia’s concerns about young people and drugs are no doubt genuine, but would be much more credible if they were not themselves associated with leading drug-peddlers, writes Mike Daube.
Can British American Tobacco lie straight in bed?
British American Tobacco is big on corporate social responsibility after its forced re-birthing, but when snakes shed their skins, there’s still a snake inside, writes Simon Chapman.
There’s no smoking without smoke
We forget at our peril that the purpose of government is to protect its citizens’ rights — not to make them richer or healthier or more virtuous. Among those that seem to have forgotten this is the anti-tobacco lobby.
