By: Jay Pugazhenthi
This month, plain Canadian cigarette packs will hit the shelves. Stripped of all logos and designs, the new pack will be in drab brown - named the "ugliest color in the world." Young adults are the main target. Glamorous pack designs appeal to teens, according to Health Canada, despite the ugly health warning pictures. The new law is also another push to help active smokers quit. But, are smokers bothered by the move?
Say News finds that many students at Seneca College couldn't care less. Alex S., a freshman, said, "at the end of the day, I want a smoke. I'm not staring at the package." A third-semester student, Marc P., believes "these laws and ugly pictures backfire. When I see those health warning pictures, I don't feel like quitting. I feel like leaving the room for a smoke. It's very unsettling."
But, young adults might benefit. With today's image-conscious kids, ugly cigarette packages might be effective in keeping them at bay.
A big issue with plain packaged cigarettes is a thriving contraband market. A brown pack with a simple font is easier to copy than a fancy design and logo. Stores have nothing to lose by stocking up on contraband, and a growing demand for it could soon be the reality. With cigarette prices soaring, low prices are a god-send to smokers. Seneca student Joell S says, "I don't care if it's not a real pack. If it's cheaper, I'd go for it."
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