MattWorld — Entrepreneur, Early Years
Butt Covers
Profiting on New Packaging Regulations
When warning labels on cigarette packaging was first mandated in 1994, it was a big deal. Everyone's beautiful packs of smokes were suddenly covered with horrible warning labels explaining how BAD smoking was for you, your unborn baby, your dog, etc.. For the first time, smokers were being called out and they were pissed.
We ran around to all the bars in town selling sheets for 2 bucks each or 3 for $5. Our labels were an instant hit as smokers quickly snapped them up. However, when the shape and positions of the warning labels changed, then changed again, we just left it at that one small victory.
Ahhh cigarettes. Things sure have changed since those childhood drives from Ottawa to Montreal to visit granny with all windows rolled up and both folks chain smoking up front.
Until Phillip Morris was successfully sued on August 17, 2006, things were very different. Smoking was cool. All the movie stars smoked. Airline passengers had to choose between the smoking and non-smoking section (I know—it's a tube). Doctors smoked in their offices. Some of my teachers actually smoked in class. My principal once smoked his pipe in front of me during one of our many visits. Every time you went out bar hopping you ALWAYS came back stinking like a smoke-infused teabag.
The only time I ever smoked a cigarette was when I was 6. I stole a Viscount menthol and paper matches from my folks and ran out into the woods to spark up. After one big puff I turned green and fell hard. Staring up at the whsping smoke above, I was like, "What the hell do my parents see in these things?"
Sometimes I think cigarettes and paper matches should be handed out to every 6 year-old on earth. Spark 'em up kids! It would turn more people off those coffin nails forever.
