It is refreshing to note comments supporting the right of adults to make their own decisions about what risk taking behaviour they will engage in, whether it be motor racing, skydiving, mountain climbing, eating fatty foods, smoking or anything else. Where do these people who claim the right to mind other people's business obtain their mandate? I didn't vote for them, and nor did I vote to give any government a mandate to tell me how I can spend my tax paid earnings. If I want to smoke then I shall. The factual basis for all this 'do as I say' interference is also selectively quoted and dubious. 93% of people who smoke do NOT develop a smoking related fatal illness, and of course 100% of people who do not smoke also die. I like to smoke, and if I am not bothering anyone else, what possible right do the self appointed wowsers have to tell me to behave otherwise. The self righteous holier than thou naggers should 'butt out'.

I don't care if a person chooses to kill themselves due to their own choice to smoke, what I object to is having to walk anlong the footpath through the clouds of smoke and stink outside public buildings as the workers are not allowed to smoke on the grounds. Building regulations should be changed to make employers/building owners to build polution rooms with filters to release the byproduct into the atmosphere like in airports, that way I don't get affected by the smokers, let them rest in peace and suck each others smoke into their lungs.

If a precedent is set then my question is "What group of people is next"? Its all about choice....isn't it? I choose not to smoke but I do not, and will not, ignore the right of others to smoke. If the Government thinks it OK to take away smokers rights, and gets away with it, then I'm pretty sure they (gvt) will have no hesitation in taking away whatever rights they feel like of those that dont. It's not just "smokers" because you can insert whatever word you want....Coffee, Gambling, Drinking, Pushbike riding...etc....Be carefull of taking away peoples rights...one day it could be yours.

Simple. Make fags $100/pack and use the extra revenue to pay for smokers future medical bills.

I do not smoke but my partner does and dont get me wrong i HATE the smoke breath etc. but i believe it is his choice!!! If he wants to quit i am here to support him in that aswell but i'm not going to treat him differently just because he has made a choice!! Everyone has the right to make a choice!!!!! Smoking is the same as eating badly, we know it's not good for us, and can lead to various diseases but we still do it cause it is OUR CHOICE!!!! Everyone should stop trying to make other peoples choices for them! In the end this price increase etc. isn't going to change much, people will still keep smoking it will just hit pockets deeper and screw with people in these already hard times!!!

If QUIT and their cronies can persuade the government or for that matter the opposition as the alternate government to make smoking illegal as they have done with lots of other drugs then so be it. Until then smoking is still A LEGAL ACTIVITY!!! It should be treated as such. It may be unpleasant for others and it is a matter of simple courtesy and good behaviour to respect the rights of others while at the same time those others need to respect the RIGHTS of smokers.

Reality Choice what choice. Smokers are no different to druggos. Smokers are addicted just like drug addicts. Anything that helps to kick this drug addiction should be implimented.

I am a non-smoker, but I am pro-choice. I think that people who smoke should be allowed to; it's none of MY business and it's definitely not my position to judge others or preach about how they should live their lives. Back to the issue at hand - I think the proposed packaging and restrictive laws are ridiculous. Everyone knows the health risks - as has been pointed out on this thread already - and so bigger warnings aren't a deterrent. It feels like the Government is presuming that people don't know or don't understand about diseases linked to smoking. I think the money spent on this campaign could be better spent elsewhere - maybe targeting hard drugs or alcohol abuse that are major issues and don't receive the amount of coverage they need. People don't crash their cars or hit their families because they had a few too many puffs of a cigarette down at the club!

bel - Its their choce... and carrying on like that just emphasises their point... Its THEIR choice to smoke if they want. YOU have no right to say they can or can't, I agree that its not a good thing but your comments are the reason there is such a conflict. You have no right to say what people shold or shouldn't think. Thats call fascism...

I think this is totally reasonable. I don't think you smokers realise the effect that your disgusting habit can have on others around you and especially those parents who like to smoke during pregnancy or with their children around them. ACT Health has just gone smoke free and there was a stink about that because patients can't smoke and if they want to they have to make their way to the one designated area, you are in hospital, you aren't well, do you honestly think smoking is going to help your recovery time? I think it's fair that you can do it if you want to, it's not ilegal, but I believe it should be done in your own home in your own environment, it should be banned in public places completely so that others who appreciate life and their health do not have to put up with it blowing in their faces and see the bloody cigarette butts around when people can't manage to walk to a bin. It's a disgusting habit and i don't know how after having proper education and knowing about all the effects it can have to you and others around you that you still want to do it. You all obviously have a death wish. And for you Chris if living happy means lung cancer and whatever else you may get you obviously aren't thinking about it all to well are you, i can guarantee when you are on your death bed with your family around you will be regretting every single time you lit up as if you didn't do that and you paid attention to the warnings you may have another 10 years with your children, grandchildren, parents or whoever. Tell me why someone would be happy to strip years away from their lives and time with their families?