Cigarette item is astonishing

Leith Thomas's item on cigarette packaging is utterly astonishing.

Nicotine is probably the most dangerous drug available in Australia (including heroin and marijuana), and anything that can be done to reduce its usage is to be welcomed.

However, when any responsible citizen would see the value of improving public health, Mr Thomas's only concern is that his profits might be reduced, if cigarette sales are made difficult.

Clearly, he sees no problem in maximizing the distribution of lethal material, so I am surprised that he does not take the logical step of marketing, say, firearms in lieu of tobacco (firearms kill fewer people than tobacco at present, but good packaging can remedy that deficiency).

Let us hope that the Alliance of Australian Retailers is totally ineffective in its campaign.

Email, 31 Aug 2010 Bruce Hyland, Daley's Pt