Taps Drip, Clocks Tick, Tobacco Controllers Lie

Back when the tax parasites in tobacco control set their sights on plain packaging for tobacco, they were very clear about why the policy was required.

If you live in the south west, you may remember this advertising hoarding at the time, paid for by government to lobby government in early 2012.

There are other examples here and here

In case you can't quite make it out, it says:

"Support plain packaging and protect our children"

Cancer Research UK ran a similar campaign, with an almost identical tagline, complete with video featuring loads of cute kids.

"Support the campaign to protect children from tobacco marketing"

This was emphasised further on its campaign page.

"It doesn’t matter if you’re a smoker or not, this campaign isn’t about telling people to quit, it’s about stopping the next generation from starting in the first place."

Smoker-hating MP Stephen Williams was certain about the reason for the policy.

"I was pleased to help launch Europe's first major campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of glitzy tobacco packaging to children"

As was Fiona Andrews of Smokefree South West (link has since been removed, as has Smokefree South West funnily enough).

"Smoking is an epidemic that affects children and moving tobacco products into standardised, plain packaging is designed to protect them; it is not about current smokers."

Andy Lloyd of Fresh NE went further.

"Plain packaging is not about stopping existing smokers but everything to do with protecting children"

As did Stewart Brock of NHS Somerset.

"Smokers start as children and continue as adults. Smoking is an epidemic that affects children and moving tobacco products into standardised, plain packaging is designed to protect them and is not about current smokers."

Every one of those statements above was a lie to a lesser or greater degree to mendaciously sway public opinion and to hoodwink politicians. Because, as we see from ASH's Amanda Sandford this week, there was only one real reason for plain packaging.

Why is the packaging changing?

Ms Sandford said: "This is to make smoking less appealing. 

"There is evidence that from the changes that have already been made to packaging that it has made people quit smoking. 

"And that is because people are faced with very harsh health images every time they pick up a pack of cigarettes."

Pretty unequivocal, I think you'll agree.

There are a few rules in life that will always serve you well. One of them is that if you hear or read anything from a tobacco controller, assume they're not telling you the truth.