This just in.... Australia votes to ban all logos and graphics on cigarette packaging. The packages will be white and have a large warning label with small type spelling out the brand of cigarettes. Damn, those photos they use are outright gruesome. It would take a lot to look at one of those lungs on the package and still buy some cigs. That's an addiction...

With all political views aside and whether this is right or wrong, let's review the facts.

-Australia's government see smoking as a danger to their citizens, and a burden financially. 

-Australia chooses to penalize the tobacco companies with the most crippling fines they can come up with.

-The crippling fine that is chosen is to enact a complete void of all branding for tabacco companies.

Branding is a tool in which differentiates products and services. It creates emotions around a company. Think of a red and white cigarette box, think of Joe Camel, the Marlboro Man, COOL and so on... The images that flood your mind are non-stop. I don't smoke, have never bought cigarettes, and have not ever consciously even looked at a tobacco ad, and even I know these brands. I can't imagine the emotions that these brands evoke in cigarette consumers. It's a powerful tool, consciously and subconsciously.

While we are on the topic of the power of branding, I would not be willing to design for a product that I did not believe in. Design is that powerful, and if I knew my work was  contributing to the sales of a bad product or service.... no thanks. The thought of conniving brainstorm meetings, and the "strategy" that goes into selling products like cigarettes makes me twitch. Now without getting all self-indulgent and self-gratifying, design has a job, and that is to sell. It doesn't have to be a product or even a service. It sells dreams and ideas to the masses. Many times it has effects far past the initial targeted goal. It will be interesting where this leads Australia and their intent on crushing the tobacco industry.

Branding sells. Australia is not OK with tabacco companies 'selling' their products to it's citizens. Cigarettes have gone generic down under, and virtually killed their image. Now it's a battle of past brand campaigns and what company name will sell their products.

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