The threat of plain packaging on cigars. - Action Required TODAY!

[Vortigan]

I have completed the form but fear that with the small minded Governments we seem to get it will be a lost cause.....
There is an old expression about people getting the Governments and Prime Ministers they deserve, God alone knows what that says about the population of this country in the past couple of decades?

However as this is a Department of Health initiative I felt it was appropriate for me to comment on the form and on this public forum about the fact that with everything going so well within the public health sector in this country they clearly have lots of spare time on their hands for these kinds of pointless initiatives. So as they have all this spare time I assume that there are no longer any waiting lists for operations, no cases of MRSA in NHS hospitals, no GP's on strike, no problems regarding care for the elderly (especially those poor sods with mental illnesses) and everything in the garden in rosy?
This is in no way a dig at anyone working in the health service who on the whole do wonderful work, but the small minded bunch of tossers who clearly have too much time on their hands, no understanding of the driving factors behind cigar selection etc etc.
Rant over.
Going to smoke a really big Cuban or two tonight by way of rebellion.

I think you raise a good point.One of the maxims that was drummed into us throughout 3 years of training was that it's all about "holistic,patient-centred care".The patient and their relatives/carers at the core of everything we do,every decision made.However,what I've increasingly found is that we are working to a tick box sheet where the patient and what is best for them is not necessarily what we're doing.Ultimately what this means is that as long as,at the end of the day,there's a paper trail back to show that policy was followed (no matter what the outcome) then that's what matters.

But rigidly adhering to a policy is not always the best thing for the patient on an individual person by person,case by case basis.We've stopped using common sense and free thinking and interpretation are not allowed.I know a couple of police officers who feel that the jobs they trained to do are being similarly compromised.

[JamesA]

Douglas Adams said it best in Hitch hikers guide to the galaxy: "Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job."

Although at the moment Zaphod Beeblebrox seems a preferable option...

[pedro]

Well thats me finally put my opinion as well,

[chalkstreamangler]

I have completed the form but fear that with the small minded Governments we seem to get it will be a lost cause.....
There is an old expression about people getting the Governments and Prime Ministers they deserve, God alone knows what that says about the population of this country in the past couple of decades?

However as this is a Department of Health initiative I felt it was appropriate for me to comment on the form and on this public forum about the fact that with everything going so well within the public health sector in this country they clearly have lots of spare time on their hands for these kinds of pointless initiatives. So as they have all this spare time I assume that there are no longer any waiting lists for operations, no cases of MRSA in NHS hospitals, no GP's on strike, no problems regarding care for the elderly (especially those poor sods with mental illnesses) and everything in the garden in rosy?
This is in no way a dig at anyone working in the health service who on the whole do wonderful work, but the small minded bunch of tossers who clearly have too much time on their hands, no understanding of the driving factors behind cigar selection etc etc.
Rant over.
Going to smoke a really big Cuban or two tonight by way of rebellion.

[Simon Bolivar]

+1

[Sligub]

The thing that really fucks me off about this is that it's to stop children smoking(which I completely agree with) but its illegal to buy/sell tobacco to an under 18. Maybe go after the shops that are breaking the laws already in place before adding another pointless and nannyish law onto the books.

But then I believe that if your old enough to vote and fight on the front lines your old enough to be trusted to make your own decisions and it's not the governments job to "protect us from ourselves".

[Sligub]

Oh dear, what have I said. If the blinkered agenderists read this they'll want us closed down, or leastways make Deano wear a white suit!

No not closed just all posts have to be
Blank with large "tobacco kills" stickers.

[tippexx]

.... this Forum has more influence in swaying my selections than any cigars packaging.

Oh dear, what have I said. If the blinkered agenderists read this they'll want us closed down, or leastways make Deano wear a white suit!

[L_DOG]

Tippex, I do agree with you there! Tis also a form of identity too. Imagine walking into a humi at your local cigar store to see nothing but whiteness. Would make me think I am in a nuthouse!

iExplore on my Tappytalk part duex

[bfg84]

Done, nothing but a bunch of bullies!

[RogMcDodge]

Why don't we just all gouge our eyes out now? We will no doubt see something that may potentially, maybe cause us some harm at some point, one day in the future, maybe.

[James811]

I was discussing this with my other half last night and she made a good point. Obesity surely is more substantial a problem than cigars so how long will it taje for all food to be presented in just a white box and no T.V adverts?

[molecularstudent]

Some of the time I think.

Cigarette smokers are not generally influenced by packaging. (Marketing and advertising were banned ages ago). Peers are the first influences, and then once they've determined which brand they like they stay with it throughout their smoking life, changing only if a brand is dropped or by a chance experience ie; Bert gives Sid a fag outside the pub and Sid prefers it to his usuals.

Cigars smokers are different. For various reasons they've left cigarettes behind or by-passed them altogether. They do not stick to one size or brand and in the same way as the wine knowledgeable enjoy experiencing all the variety of choices which their pockets allow. For me at least, this Forum has more influence in swaying my selections than any cigars packaging.

Very much in agreement.

[daniel2001]

A lot of the responses in this thread have been similar to my comments on the petition to the DoH. That cigars (and pipes) are very different to cigarettes in that they are smoked differently for different reasons.

Once, outside my local I was told (whilst smoking a Boli CG) that smoking was a vile habit and should be outlawed because of the risks to ones own health and the health of people nearby. Keeping in mind that I was in the smoking area at about 10pm, I may have responded that "cigars are not a habit, they are a pleasure."

[tippexx]

Being in the printing and advertising sector all I can say is branding and giving something a super duper image helps sale values, regardless if the product is horse shit or a fine wine. Everyone is different though!

Some of the time I think.

Cigarette smokers are not generally influenced by packaging. (Marketing and advertising were banned ages ago). Peers are the first influences, and then once they've determined which brand they like they stay with it throughout their smoking life, changing only if a brand is dropped or by a chance experience ie; Bert gives Sid a fag outside the pub and Sid prefers it to his usuals.

Cigars smokers are different. For various reasons they've left cigarettes behind or by-passed them altogether. They do not stick to one size or brand and in the same way as the wine knowledgeable enjoy experiencing all the variety of choices which their pockets allow. For me at least, this Forum has more influence in swaying my selections than any cigars packaging.