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- This topic has 6 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 11 months ago by Philip.
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June 2, 2008 at 12:55 am #28873detn8rParticipant
This past weekend (and as of 12:00 AM this morning) it became illegal to display a pack of cigarettes here in Ontario. Last year, the Ontario government passed a law that prohibited any advertising of cigarettes, like brand names or any colourful advertising. Essentially, bringing forward the “out of sight, out of mind” attitude.
All store owners now had to think of creative ways to hid the products, and in a place that would be convenient to get them for a customer. I’ve seen several different methods so far, some good, some not so good, but I think it did put a huge burden on store owners to not only put their own money into creative ways to hide them, but also creative ways to fill the gap for the huge “cigarette wall” that sits behind the store counter.
All day, I’ve been reading blogs and discussions on Facebook pages about people’s opinions.. good and bad, why they think the government did it, and how it will/won’t work.
The government “says” it’s for the out of site, out of mind attitude — to stop young people from smoking and to help those who do, quit.
Most of the comments I’ve read so far are basically complaining that there are bigger and better things to waste time and money on. How much money can a government actually spend on enforcing this law? Is it enough to actually take time to complain about? Is it really taking anything away from you, to those who actually smoke?
What should the government spend their money on, to help people stop smoking? They already raised the taxes on the cigarettes, from $4 a pack to sometimes over $11. And now with the price of gas on the rise, you only know, the price of cigarettes will be on the rise, as well as everything else.
To those who smoke, how did you start? Was it peer pressure? Boredom? Advertising? Did your parents/family do it?
And lastly, do you think the Ontario government waisted their time and what ever money it cost to pass a province-wide by-law to ban the advertising/pricing and display of tobacco products to help hinder young people from smoking and those who do to quit?
June 2, 2008 at 1:11 am #169864detn8rParticipantI’ve never smoked a cigarette a day in my life. Both my parents, and their parents smoked since they were early teens. Out of my 4 siblings, only one smokes. I think, overall the government has done an excellent job at educating people about the negativities of smoking, and the outcomes. Using commercials and websites like truth.ca: The Leading Truth Site on the Net honestly let youth know what they are getting in to. Everyone tries to understand how people get into smoking, and ways to block it.
I’ve always looked at it as why does one want to smoke? Personally, I don’t want to because, second hand smoke has given me asthma and probably shortened my life enough thanks to my parents. I know the facts of what it can do to me. And I know the cost of the terrible addiction.
On the other hand, I’ve considered smoking, because during breaks at school, all my friends would go outside to have a smoke, and to also socialize. At work, people have lunch, then go out for a smoke. I tended to be the one to follow them out, and to stand there looking like the red sock in a pile of green ones, or I’d stay inside by myself and miss out of social time.
Overall, cigarette companies spend billions of dollars annually to keep people smoking. I think THAT is wasted time and money. The majority of the population in this country, and many others already smoke. I think people take up smoking to join the social club.
Sure the government obviously did this to help deter younger people from starting to smoke, but I truly think its steps to help people who already smoke to stop. For me, if there is no social group out side, there is no reason for me to consider smoking.
Im curious to read what someone else considers their consideration to be.
June 2, 2008 at 9:42 am #169869PhilipModeratorMe too, det. I’ve never smoked a ciggy or a fag all my life, and I am happy.
June 2, 2008 at 4:27 pm #169867sarahtownyMemberOh well I did succumb to the dreaded weed, suppose at the time all my mates at school did, it seemed the norm.
Have tried to give up intermitantly but always started again. They banned smoking in public places recently and it has made a difference, for example I have probably cut down by half, and during the day if at work, I don’t even bother. You feel like a leper!
I recently went to Prague for a few days and that was a whole different story, you can smoke anywhere, it felt rather odd. It seemed everyone smoked in the bars and restaurants. This still felt odd to me and I still went outside, especially in restaurants which always have children in.
I don’t really think that if they don’t advertise it makes any difference, if you know where to buy them, you go. On display or not. If you smoke you smoke simple as that.
It is time I gave up and I am sure the more you feel the outcast the more you feel the need to stub out for good.
June 7, 2008 at 3:45 pm #169865DavidParticipantWhether or not the government wasted time or money, I’m glad they did it. I hate smoking, I hate being around it inside and I hate when people reek of smoke and sit near me. I’ve been glad to live in states where smoking is banned in restaurants (Connecticut, New York), and I’m glad for that.
20 more years and smoking will be a serious thing of the past, and that is better for the health of everyone.
June 7, 2008 at 4:46 pm #169866TigerbladeParticipantOne of my favorite things is when I get in the elevator at work right after one of the smokers came back in from their break. Really, it’s a wonderful aroma, and I’m SO glad they were kind enough to share it with everyone who uses the elevators.
I’m not sure I share Dave’s optimism about the future of smoking, but… it can’t be soon enough.
(also, side note, why is it that smoking breaks are so accepted? if I just decided to go outside every twenty minutes for a “fresh air break” my employer would have my stuff in a box when I came back in.)
June 9, 2008 at 9:04 pm #169868StigmataMemberWhenever a drastic change comes in place, they always say it won’t work.
But last year Britain introduced a ban on smoking in public places, and alot of people thought it wouldn’t work etc..
But now half a year on, I was talking to my friends about it the other day and even those who smoke agree that it was for the best and it is an improvement.
I’ve tried smoking, never liked it. I hear Britain might be hiding cigarettes behind the counter, also reports that they are going to put Alcohol there instead :/
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