Sir, – The Government’s introduction of 14 “graphic images” to be carried on cigarette packaging, and supposedly illustrating the harmful effects of smoking, may yet prove to have the opposite effect to that intended.
It is widely rumoured within the trade that a leading tobacco company is about to offer free cartons of 200 cigarettes in exchange for each collection of all 14 images. The Ministers responsible for this hasty piece of legislation will have to look on helplessly as a frenzy of “GI” exchanges on the internet, auctions on e-Bay, and swaps in school playgrounds grips the nation. – Yours, etc,