And I'll Huff.. And I'll Puff....

 
If you're in Singapore and in desperate need of a fag, the first shock you'll get is when you ask what is the price of a regular pack. Last I heard it's SGD $8.50 per pack of 20. (dun ask me which brand, I dun smoke) And if you havn't decided to just go cold turkey after hearing that, another shock will be in store for you. Starting 1st August 2004, all cigarette packs in Singapore will carry shock images as those you see above. In a desperate attempt to discourage the people of Singapore from smoking (since increasing the duty on cigs dun sem to work anyway) they have resorted to what in my opinion is child-scare tactics. 
 
Sure, the first time, you take a look at it, you will be slightly taken aback especially since the photos seems to be close-up of certain parts of the body. But if a guy buys one packet a day, that makes it 7 packs a week, and surely within a fortnight, he will be so used to it, he could stare at the graphics and won't even flinch. And there goes all the effects of the pictures that was meant to shock. Worse still, if they decide to play it on TV ad nauseum, (Oh pleeese...SPARE ME !!!) then all the kids will also be desensitized to these images and they will end up nothing but merely a resource for jokes among them.
 
After all, what is the reaction they were hoping to get? A guy goes out to buy a pack of cigarettes, grit his teeth while handing over the money while cussing the Govt under his breath for imposing such a high price on cigs,  receive the pack of cigs, takes a look at it, gets the SHOCK of his life, wonder if the same will happen to him then SWEARS never to come near a pack of cigarettes ever again ?????? NAH...... I DIDN'T THINK SO TOOO......................