Notably, this is a fairly ineffective measure that the tobacco industry backed. Raising the age to 21 does little to curb teenage use and reinforces the idea that tobacco products are for adults....
Notably, this is a fairly ineffective measure that the tobacco industry backed. Raising the age to 21 does little to curb teenage use and reinforces the idea that tobacco products are for adults. Effective measures would be creating packaging regulations to make the products less attractive. In some countries, cigarette packaging is just very plain, like in Australia. Other countries actually have gnarly pictures of diseased lungs or people with mouth cancer on the box.
Sure, but those who start smoking early are likely exposed to seniors (often 18) who are smoking. If nobody in high school can smoke it seems like less exposure could be helpful.
Sure, but those who start smoking early are likely exposed to seniors (often 18) who are smoking. If nobody in high school can smoke it seems like less exposure could be helpful.
I agree, especially since at that age it's harder to find a 21-year-old willing to help than an 18/19-year-old. Obviously, people will mention alcohol, and how high school aged kids aren't...
I agree, especially since at that age it's harder to find a 21-year-old willing to help than an 18/19-year-old. Obviously, people will mention alcohol, and how high school aged kids aren't deterred, but there are two important differences in my eyes. Drinking alcohol is a monthly or weekly social activity, while smoking is a daily activity that is practiced alone just as often as it is socially. With alcohol, one connection supplies multiple people for an evening of fun. Often times that connection is an unsuspecting family member that the kids stole from. You can't really do that with cigarettes. You need a consistent supply. At 18, that connection is pretty easy to establish through an upper classman, or a recent grad. By 21, nearly everyone has moved on from highschool days. Your average 16-17-year-old doesn't have a 21-year-old peer. This isn't going to end underage smoking, but I do think it's a more effective deterrent than having the restriction stop at 18.
Kids just steal them from their parents or get slightly older friends to buy them. Plenty of young teenagers get Vapes and cigarettes even with existing age restrictions.
Kids just steal them from their parents or get slightly older friends to buy them. Plenty of young teenagers get Vapes and cigarettes even with existing age restrictions.
Tobacco product packaging in Australia is legally required to have nasty photos of diseased gums/teeth/eyes plastered all over it :/ I'm not a smoker so it doesn't affect me but I wonder how...
Tobacco product packaging in Australia is legally required to have nasty photos of diseased gums/teeth/eyes plastered all over it :/ I'm not a smoker so it doesn't affect me but I wonder how effective it actually is in 2019, it's not like there's anybody out there that still believes the wartime "cigarettes are healthy for you" propaganda. Since education about that sort of thing has kind of hit a bottleneck by now I'd imagine it's meant to be more of a psychological deterrent?
I expect the market has priced this bill passing in. This did not come as a surprise. It's been in the works for months. But when trading on human psychology (which the markets always are) who...
I expect the market has priced this bill passing in. This did not come as a surprise. It's been in the works for months.
But when trading on human psychology (which the markets always are) who knows! Your best guess is as good as mine. If you think you've got the market beat and are comfortable with the risk, make a move!
Generally, I think the professionals get this sort of thing right most of the time. It's hard to beat the financial industry for a layperson.
Notably, this is a fairly ineffective measure that the tobacco industry backed. Raising the age to 21 does little to curb teenage use and reinforces the idea that tobacco products are for adults. Effective measures would be creating packaging regulations to make the products less attractive. In some countries, cigarette packaging is just very plain, like in Australia. Other countries actually have gnarly pictures of diseased lungs or people with mouth cancer on the box.
Why would it do little to curb teenage use?
Because most people who smoke start smoking before 18 already. Moving the age limit up further doesn't make the start less illegal.
Sure, but those who start smoking early are likely exposed to seniors (often 18) who are smoking. If nobody in high school can smoke it seems like less exposure could be helpful.
I agree, especially since at that age it's harder to find a 21-year-old willing to help than an 18/19-year-old. Obviously, people will mention alcohol, and how high school aged kids aren't deterred, but there are two important differences in my eyes. Drinking alcohol is a monthly or weekly social activity, while smoking is a daily activity that is practiced alone just as often as it is socially. With alcohol, one connection supplies multiple people for an evening of fun. Often times that connection is an unsuspecting family member that the kids stole from. You can't really do that with cigarettes. You need a consistent supply. At 18, that connection is pretty easy to establish through an upper classman, or a recent grad. By 21, nearly everyone has moved on from highschool days. Your average 16-17-year-old doesn't have a 21-year-old peer. This isn't going to end underage smoking, but I do think it's a more effective deterrent than having the restriction stop at 18.
Kids just steal them from their parents or get slightly older friends to buy them. Plenty of young teenagers get Vapes and cigarettes even with existing age restrictions.
It is already illegal for teenagers to buy tobacco products. Raising the age requirement further doesn't change anything for them.
Tobacco product packaging in Australia is legally required to have nasty photos of diseased gums/teeth/eyes plastered all over it :/ I'm not a smoker so it doesn't affect me but I wonder how effective it actually is in 2019, it's not like there's anybody out there that still believes the wartime "cigarettes are healthy for you" propaganda. Since education about that sort of thing has kind of hit a bottleneck by now I'd imagine it's meant to be more of a psychological deterrent?
Time to short a bunch of tobacco stocks?
I expect the market has priced this bill passing in. This did not come as a surprise. It's been in the works for months.
But when trading on human psychology (which the markets always are) who knows! Your best guess is as good as mine. If you think you've got the market beat and are comfortable with the risk, make a move!
Generally, I think the professionals get this sort of thing right most of the time. It's hard to beat the financial industry for a layperson.
I think I'll stick with waiting for my beanie babies, commemorative plates, and pogs investments to mature.