Western tobacco companies remain the worst

[soleiltropiques]

Plain cigarette packaging a hit with anti-smoking advocates, but debate about whether it works continues

Australia implemented plain packaging in 2012 - some say it reduced smoking rates, but others disagree

Comments

[spiritoftherain]

Evidence shows that tobacco marketing drives the uptake of smoking, especially among young people... the tobacco industry continues to argue that it only markets to persuade adult smokers to switch brands

What incredible bullshit. Whoever came up with that spin ought to be dunked in sewage--while wearing their most expensive suit.

The smoking industry has been the devil we know for as long as I can remember. Pretty insidiuous that they're branching out to poorer, developing countries now that they've lost the culture war against activists in western countries.

[soleiltropiques]

Yes. It means that these countries will have to deal with increasing numbers of lung cancer, etc, so it's just terrible.

[girlomega]

I smoke because I'm addicted. I have an addictive personality that has led to other drug problems in my past. If these anti-smoking boards really wanted to stop smoking, they'd be concentrating on WHY people smoke and WHY low income people smoke and HOW to help addicts who are recovering and relapsing instead of covering it up in this bullshit blanket of "If you were just strong enough, you'd be able to quit.".

But no one cares about addicts unless it's to push their anti-drug agenda.

[un_fantasma]

I agree.  My spouse is addicted and soooo many people I know who smoke or used to smoke have told me about how bad withdrawals can get and I've heard nicotine is one of the hardest drugs to quit. I really wish state programs to help smokers quit actually had an addiction-focused quitting program rather than "If you smoke you'll DIE" focus and also accounted for race and class. I'm a blue-collar worker and a lot of my coworkers smoke because they're fucking poor and sometimes juggling multiple jobs and it's one of few things they can actually enjoy. I HATE cigarettes and their manufacturers but I am completely sympathetic to people who are addicted to them.

[soleiltropiques]

Yeah, that's terrible.

Here are some resources at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, among other things there is a quitline 1-800 number: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/quitting/index.htm#resources

For those who are Canadian, in my province there are 'Centres d'aide à l'abandon du tabac' (i.e. 'quit smoking centres') which are dedicated to providing resources for helping people quit smoking.
Other provinces should have similar services.

Here in Canada nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum) is actually available without a prescription now, although I'm not certain if this is the case elsewhere. It might be helpful to talk to a pharmacist.

Also other treatments for nicotine addiction exist but these may require a prescription (e.g. bupropion).

(Edited for punctuation failure, LOL.)

[soleiltropiques]

I COMPLETELY agree. Tobacco is an addiction. Also, people don't 'choose' to smoke, in the same way that they don't 'choose' to be overweight, for instance

[meadowphoenix]

The way tobacco companies have cigarette kiosks right outside of schools in some countries is deplorable.

[soleiltropiques]

IAC.