Woolworths and Coles pull out of big tobacco ad campaign

The anti-plain cigarette packages campaign has begun in earnest, after a short hiatus with some infighting amongst those purporting to represent retailers.

The advertisements are now appearing on Tasmanian television screens.

In May I wrote an article that said that the Rudd Government had passed the Scream test:
http://oldtt.pixelkey.biz/index.php?/article/rudd-government-passes-the-scream-test/

Wow the Rudd/Gillard approach to plain packaging certainly brought the forces of darkness down on the ALP. A massive scream from the industry is now upon us.

For the first time I can ever remember in many years of watching elections, tobacco control is an election issue. Well …maybe not tobacco control….but the way that the industry conducts itself and its willingness to throw money at a campaign to defeat a government…has become an issue in itself.

Woolworths and Coles executives were furious and have distanced themselves from the campaign and withdrawn their funding.

The ABC Lateline program has been monitoring the story closely:
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2010/s2980489.htm

Six Australians of the Year have signed a letter urging all political parties to support plain packaging.

Will the ACCC take any action I wonder? Health groups argue that this campaign is misleading and deceptive. Woolworths has also called it deceptive:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/election/woolies-pulls-plug-over-ads/story-fn5zm695-1225904675110

Follow the story on the ASH website:
http://www.ashaust.org.au/lv3/action_plainpack.htm