why do i get the feeling that the "shadow minster" is a saff writer at the daily telegraph? maybe its the all opinion and no facts posts.

This thought bubble started in New Zealand in 1989.

but eh never let facts get in your way shadow minster of foolishness.

Well Shadow Minister, I went and looked up the previous measures and they were enacted as follows:

Cigarette advertising ban on TV and radio – Whitlam Government
Health warnings on packets – Whitlam Government (although the Gorton Government made some steps in this area)
Smoking on aircraft banned – Hawke Government
Advertising ban in newspapers and magazines – Hawke Government
More stringent warnings on packets – Hawke Government
Tobacco sponsorship bans – Keating Government
Billboard advertising ban – Keating Government
Additional health warnings on packets – Keating Government
Sponsorship exemptions removed – Howard Government
Health warnings with pictures on packets – Howard Government
Plain packaging – Gillard Government

The rest of the bans are state legislation.

It seems conservative governments have been better characterised by their lack of activity in this area.

WELL..HERE WE GO AGAIN
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=6196&page=0

the arguments so far..population-growth..is refuted by the blac market sales[official smoking reciepts is flawed]..as i still smoke..yet havnt 'bought'..smokes from 'official-shops]..since both parties betrayed us for a 3 billion [indexed]..cash cow]

at the previous thread i pointed out.that smoking actually kills many cancers[and that smnokers and non smokers have the \same rates of cancer/thus smoking cannot be a factor

the biggest cause of lung cancer..is woodsmoke[the second is diesal particulate/the third is asbestois like fibrells

the lies is what makes me angry[the total medical costs of smoking 'attributed'..diseases is onlt 800 million..not 32 bilion..thats the 'social costs'..which is a mine field that accounts percentages such as picking up buts burns in clothing even the actual sales numbERS.ETC ETC

[by implied association]..YOU FREAKING MINDLESS HATES CAN SPOUT ON ENDLESSLY YOUR HATRED OF US/ wish us dead..even deney us our rights[by what right does any GOVT DECLARE A WAR ON ITS OWN?

PLEASE GROW UP..FOR FREAKS SAKE
SIN TAXES ARE TAXES [GET IT]
ONE BY ONE THEY WIL TAX ALL YA FREAKING SINS[SMOKERS subliminal and poisend paper..is the lie upon which this biased ignorant abuse rests

ya cant hate race
ya cant vent at sex..agEism is vebotten/but them doper no hoper smoker jokers/no their the wort thing /not those stealing ya water your voin your govt and peace of mind

point is one rule for smokers please
shoot us on sight...[its allright/you guilted sheeple have reminded me in in hell

[tomorrow..6 may
IS JUDGMENT DAY..JOHAN NINE [ONE UNDER GOD]..IS HAVING HIS JUDGMENT DAY
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=6293&page=11

All smoking related illnesses are self inflicted, as such, any medication or procedures' relating from those illnesses are totally the responsibility of the smoker not the Governments or Medical Insurance Companies.

They should have to pay for any treatment themselves.

If the Smoker wants to be reimbursed for the costs to treat their illness they should take it up with the Tobacco Companies.

Wouldn't that stir things up.

uog: the biggest cause of lung cancer..is woodsmoke.

If that were the case, then the human race would not have made into the Iron Age.

uog: shoot us on sight...[its allright/you guilted sheeple have reminded me in in hell

Hmmm... are you suggesting this could become a new sport. Interesting concept ;-)

I agree with most of the comments above, but one important factor is overlooked. If the Government does as the author seems to suggest and reverse the decision on plain packaging, the case for compensation by the major tobacco companies would be overwhelming and we would be in for billions in compensation for the time when plain packaging was in force. Whatever the effectiveness of plain packaging, we have no alternative but to fight our corner for it in the international tribunals. Disclaimer - I worked on the plain packaging campaign for the Department of Health and Ageing in 2011.