"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"

PHILIP MORRIS FRONTS THE ALLIANCE FOR AUSTRALIAN RETAILERS WITH OVER $5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS TO FIGHT THE PLAIN PACKAGING TOBACCO PREVENTION CAMPAIGN!!!!!!

Research has shown that industry branding and packaging design reduced the effectiveness of graphic health warnings about smoking Photo: REUTERS

  So... if you have been following the recent plain packaging issue in Australia, you know the huge uproar it has been getting from the retailers (specifically the Alliance of Australian Retailers). They say the campaign "won't work" so "why do it" in some of their PSA's - http://bit.ly/cQfHeB. In short, the tobacco prevention campaign is pushing to make cigarette packages unappealing. Here's a snippet from the BOSTON GLOBE:

"...tobacco products would have to be sold in the plainest of packaging — with few or no logos, brand images or colors. Promotional text would be restricted to brand and product names in a standard color, position, type style and size, rendering them not unlike the bland boxes that carry generic prescription drugs."

    BUT!!! What you might not have known is that PHILIP MORRIS is funding the fight against this! That's right, a recent slew of emails and documents was sent to the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD this past weekend that shows PM has funded with AU $5.4 million (which is about $5,075,586 in US dollars) the CIVIC GROUP, a PR firm who coordinates the FRONT GROUP, ALLIANCE OF AUSTRALIAN RETAILERS, and PM plans on giving them $3.97 million more (which is about $3,731,495 in US dollars).

    And to think, for a very brief moment, I felt a little bad for the Australian Retailers. But the whole anti-campaign is truly just a tobacco industry ploy. Please keep this in mind before passing judgment on this important issue.

Thanks for reading ^_^.

~Amelia Silbert-Geiger~

"Tobacco in Youth-Rated Films?!"

It is interesting to find how many comments on a recent article from BOSTON GLOBE argued against taking smoking out of youth-rated (G, PG, & PG-13) films due to "artistic freedom." 

REALLY?! Here is the reality - this fight is to keep products out of youth-directed movies. If a person cannot legally obtain a product, than that product should not be marketed to said person (unless there is a hidden agenda - like attracting youth to smoke - *cough*).

 

It just doesn't make sense to have smoking in movies that are youth-rated (G, PG, and PG-13). If a director/producer would like to include smoking because it "enhances the scene," or "adds to the realness of a character" then by all means; please include it. BUT, that cigarette MUST come with an R-rating. Children SHOULD NOT see their idol smoking. Hollywood has an obligation to the next generation - is this truly the message we want to send?  

We can all take a lesson from Chinese Cinema. The Chinese Association on Tobacco Control is appealing to filmmakers and TV production companies to avoid making scenes that involve cigarette smoking. And guess what? Chinese directors endorse it: "There are many ways to tell a story or portray a character. We don’t have to involve smoking in our productions. I think every director is able to handle it and make the industry more healthy and decrease the negative influence to the public." - ARTICLE HERE

  

In Layman's terms: if someone wants to make a character look rebellious, be creative! Do not be lazy and use cigarettes to portray an "iconic image" that disappeared long ago - this is the 21st century after all.

  

In simple English: IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO PUT TOBACCO IN MOVIES THAT ARE DIRECTED AT AN AUDIENCE WHO CANNOT LEGALLY BUY THAT PRODUCT!

 

Thanks for reading. Please comment and share! ^_^

~Amelia Silbert-Geiger~

"What is This Thing at the Bottom of My Page?!"

    Some of you might be wondering... "What is this weird toolbar thing that shows up at the very bottom of my screen when I go to certain blogs?!"

    The answer? - It's a WIBIYA.COM toolbar. It is meant to enhance the social sharing process online. You have the ability to visit CYAN's social media channels WITHOUT leaving this page as well as LIKE this blog WITHOUT leaving the blog itself.

    I learned about it reading a blog by COREE SILVERA. This nifty toolbar is supposed to help YOU and engage YOU.

    However, I'm not COMPLETELY convinced. Sometimes... I find it annoying. BUT, you have the capability of receiving insights on it, which is always a plus for evaluation. What are your thoughts on it? Keep it? Or delete it?


Peace Love Unity Respect,
~Amelia Silbert-Geiger~