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Cigarette packaging war gets dirty
Health Minister Nicola Roxon is accusing big tobacco of launching a smear campaign against her after it was revealed she had courted a tobacco company for donations.
In 2005 Ms Roxon's office sent letters asking three executives at Philip Morris for donations, a year after Labor banned cigarette companies from its donor list.
The minister concedes the letters were sent, but says they were sent in error.
She said the tobacco lobby was trying to discredit her.
"The appearance of these letters today is no accident," she said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Today we see that big tobacco is now playing the man and not the ball, but I won't be intimidated."
The letters invited the three executives to a $1500 a table fundraiser in October 2005 to support Ms Roxon's re-election and ended with: "I look forward to your continuing support".
It's a bad look for a health minister who's repeatedly boasted the fact that Labor banned political donations from tobacco companies in 2004.
It's a stance she puts about as an example for the coalition to follow - with no luck.
"This just blows the minister's credibility," opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton told ABC Television.
"Nicola Roxon has been an absolute hypocrite."
Ms Roxon has previously come under attack for attending the 1999 Australian Open tennis while a guest of Philip Morris.
But she's argued that one was a rookie mistake, coming just after she became an MP.
Ms Roxon insists plain cigarette packaging will go ahead, despite opposition from the industry, threats of a legal challenge and even a global complaint from countries including Cuba and the Philippines.
"Tobacco will try and pull all sorts of tricks along the way to discredit me," she said.
"But I will not let big tobacco stand in my way."
Imperial Tobacco Australia (ITA) on Tuesday launched their anti-plain packaging advertising blitz, which paints Australia as a nanny state should the reforms go through.
Like British American Tobacco, ITA believes it will lead to a boost in counterfeit cigarettes, which will be easier to copy in plain packets.
A pack of fake Winfield cigarettes sells for $1.50 as opposed to $15 for the real thing, the tobacco industry says.
"The government seems unwilling to listen to the industry about the illicit trade, which is costing the Australian taxpayer approximately $1.1 billion per year in lost taxes," ITA general manager Wayne Merrett said.
"Everyone is aware of the risks of smoking but it is legal and the government likes its taxes."Follow Yahoo!7 on Twitter
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384 Comments
Alternative solution, present the bill for tobacco related health and required health infrastructure problems as well as negative impact on productivity due to tobacco related health issues directly to the tobacco manufacturers and importers, with a surcharge for the pollution contribution
4 RepliesI bet if the Tobacco Industry waved $50million to a University Medical Department or Cancer Institute the Institutions would consider the Funds a Legal Donation.
7 RepliesSmoking is still a legal choice. Many people die through alcohol related illnesses, many die from drug over doses, many die in road accidents and what about those that sit in sidewalk cafes inhaling all those petrol and diesel fumes from passing traffic. There are many other factors which cause illness so why pick only on smokers. Drggies do not get that much flack even though drugs are illegal.
17 RepliesSmokers litter the environment
7 Repliesbig tobacco are low, greedy, death dealing, drug pushers. All the ceos should be charged with murder.How that for a nany state a@@sholes?
6 RepliesI have smoked for 50 yrs.I have paid enough taxes to more than cover my health care.A surcharge should be put on non smokers that get sick.....what are they going to blame then????
16 RepliesThe plain packaging idea is to try to discourage people starting to smoke, and this proves that the big tobacco companies are worried. Those who want to smoke can still do so, but with a plain package instead. This might help ease some of the burden on the health system and the government budget ($11 Billion from smoke taxes in but $15 Billion spent on health combatting problems arising from smoking).
7 RepliesYes, Australia is becoming a nanny state!! I don't smoke, it makes me sick. but Australia is a land of freedoms that one can choose for oneself, but you need to be responsible for that choice!! Look at all the drug dealers around small smack on the hand - thats it What about the chemicals used in mining that leach into the water tables & environment?
ReplyThis spectacularly sensible policy making. Those who want to smoke can continue to smoke, but there will be less incentive for young people to take it up when there is no brand image for them to identify with. That's why the tobacco companies are so worried. Sell your shares now, investors in misery. When this strategy works here it will be taken up around the world.
7 RepliesClear the way for the States to sue tobacco companies for all smoke related health costs to the health system. Ot better still outlaw cigarettes all together, And I am a smoke!!
8 Replies