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Who has been to one of her Gypsy Heart tour shows so far?

I’m going tomorrow night and I would just like you to tell me how amazing it is/how hot she is?

Radiate loveeeeeee xx

This advert is part of a series in the response of British American Tobacco (BAT), under Imperial Tobacco, to the Australian Government’s “Plain Packaging” Legislation. Similar measures are being considered in Canada and Britain. No doubt as soon as one country acts on the issue, others will follow. Should this legislation be passed it would mean all branding is to be removed from cigarette packages. The branding and logo’s would be replaced with a uniform white type face on olive green background with the (now traditional) pictures of what can happen to you if you do not quit. The claims of Australia degenerating into a nanny state are ludicrous. This is a bold move by a beleaguered government, and one in the right direction.

This is not a completely new idea by the Australian Government. The idea was first introduced in the Senate during the 90’s, but without enough momentum it fizzled out quietly. The proposal was again made in 2009 by the National Preventative Health Taskforce after a lengthy investigation. It has since remained a rather obscure measure to the government as they try to tackle more immediately serious issues. Nicola Roxon, the Minister for Health and Ageing, has been working on the issue and has, this year, begun to give the public more details for the proposal.

Since then, BAT has been attempting to drum up public anger over these perceived restrictions to the lives of ordinary Australians. BAT has plans to sue the government and has even gone as far as claiming that Alcohol will be next. Such a reaction displays the losses that big tobacco expects if this new law is passed. It is their bottom line they are worried about and not the rights and freedoms of everyday Australians. By portraying the Government as that of a nanny state, this advert does little more than display BAT’s contempt for the health and wellbeing of the average smoker, who would benefit greatly should this legislation compel them to quit.

Worries that the legislation will do nothing to change smoking patterns and be ineffectual seems largely speculative. If it proves to be ineffectual, then all the fuss about a developing nanny state is for naught. In the very worst case scenario, smoking levels will remain the same. Because this has not been tried before and therefore there is no evidence the ban will work is no reason to be timid. Indeed, should this should embolden us to support the trial of new safeguards.

Smoking is known to cause a multitude of diseases and, though tobacco is a legal substance, we lose far to many people each year to these diseases than we need to. The Government, faced with a growingly unhealthy nation and rapid increases in the cost of healthcare, is required to act. We should applaud them for any action they take and let them know how we would seek to improve it.

If you feel strongly about this issue, I urge you to get in touch with Nicola Roxon here and let her know your thoughts. Do not let Tobacco Companies speak on your behalf.

Mid May by Sarah Pannell on Flickr.

Sydney council says Britain 'invaded' Australia:

SYDNEY — Councillors in Australia’s biggest city have voted to officially declare the arrival of British settlers in 1788 an “invasion”, following strong pressure from the Aboriginal community.

Sydney city council voted 7-2 on Monday to include the contentious description in its 2030 city plan, after intense lobbying from its indigenous advisors.

The document describes the “devastating impact” to the local Eora tribe of the arrival of British settlers on the shores of Sydney Harbour in 1788, resulting in the “occupation and appropriation of traditional lands”.

About bloody time. Now let’s see if the rest of the country will follow.

Grey nomads take to the sky http://ow.ly/5qrBJ travel aircraft Australia