Recent orders
Designed To Reduce The Level Of Smoking In The Community The Move Generated A Large Amount Of Discussion
Designed To Reduce The Level Of Smoking In The Community The Move Generated A Large Amount Of Discussion
Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc377396890” In 2012 the Commonwealth government of Australia introduced plain packaging to cigarettes. Designed to reduce the level of smoking in the community the move generated a large amount of discussion. Using basic economic principles explain why or why not such a policy might be effective. What might be the economic rationale for such a policy? Are there alternative polices that could be put in place to reduce the level of smoking in the community? PAGEREF _Toc377396890 h 1
In 2012 the Commonwealth government of Australia introduced plain packaging to cigarettes. Designed to reduce the level of smoking in the community the move generated a large amount of discussion. Using basic economic principles explain why or why not such a policy might be effective. What might be the economic rationale for such a policy? Are there alternative polices that could be put in place to reduce the level of smoking in the community?Packaging is the only thing that sets similar products aside because it allows for differentiation in colour, brand and design (Case, 1999). Attractive packages lure in new consumers and it becomes their preferred brand. Plain packaging policy in Australia means that all cigarette packs must have the same dark park with just the name and the health warning (Clarke, 2012).
Research conducted on the effectiveness of the policy shows that it is bound to work, but in the long run. This is because it will be coupled together with other means of controlling cigarettes, for instance an increase in the tax rate that is charged on the cigarettes. The fact that the cigarette industry is a typical monopolistic market structure means that an increase in tax is shared by both the consumer and producer.
This means that the price of cigarettes will increase while the cost of producing it goes up. Cigarettes are normal commodities and this means that the response by the consumer after an increase in price is to decrease the quantity consumes, while on the supply side an increase in the cost of production of a normal good leads to a decrease in the quantity produced.
This confirms that the assumption made in the Keynesian theory of supply and demand is true, that in the long run only the fiscal policies can work to control an economy. Increase in the tax rate decreases the consumption and production of cigarettes (O’Sullivan, 2003).
Over the last ten years, the manufacturers of cigarettes have known that there is no real difference between one brand and the other in terms of content, the difference is the packaging, the box (Clarke, 2012).. According to a survey done in 2012 December by the University of Sydney, most smokers say that plain packaged cigarette does not taste nor feel as good as the branded and well packed cigarettes. When it comes to most retailers, due to similarity in packaging they will stock a limited volume as compared to when there were differences in packaging. This means the volume of cigarettes available to consumers will b limited.
The government is also dedicated $85 million in marketing campaigns that is aimed at mobilizing people against the use of cigarettes. $27.8 million has been set aside also to create awareness on the health implications of smoking. This will affect the publicity of cigarettes and ruin the PR established over the years.
According to a survey conducted in 2010, the number of new smokers increased by 50,000 per year and 87% of this number are teenagers. This means that there will be a decrease in the new clients that are usually planned for by the tobacco companies.
As a defence mechanism, when similar products are not allowed to differentiate their products by packaging, labelling and branding. The firms usually choose to come together and form a cartel or merge to form a single firm. This will aid by achieving the required economies of scale because the production will be in bigger volumes. When the industry becomes a monopoly, and in the current situation, advertisement and publicity is negative, the one thing that can be changed is the price. This is because whether the price is low or not sales will still decrease due to the negative publicity. However the economies of scale will still ensure that there is enough profit to keep running and supplying to the smaller percentage of consumers.
D1 S2S1
D2
P2
P1
Q2 Q1
As depicted from the above graph, a decrease in the quantity demanded will shift the demand curve from D1 –D2, the supply will also decrease in order to cater only for the quantity demanded, the supply decreases and this makes the supply curve to shift from S1- S2 (Case, 1999). This will lead to an increase in the prices so as to maintain profits and this will decrease the quantity of cigarettes required by the public and the ultimate goal of the policy will be achieved.
Increase in quotas should be imposed on any tobacco imports made in the country. This will make imports expensive and decrease the effect of the international community taking advantage of the countries decrease in volume produced (Kaliski, 2000). A new tariff should be also imposed on any imports as well. In case there is the defence mechanism whereby the firms form a monopoly then the government is allowed to control monopolies by dictating the quantity it is allowed to produce.
References
Clarke, H. and D. Prentice (2012), ‘Will plain packaging reduce cigarette consumption?’, Economic Papers 31(3), PP. 303-18.
Case Karl et al. (1999), Principles of Economics 5th edition, Prentice Press Hall, Washington DC
O’Sullivan, Arthur, Steven M. Sheffrin, (2003), Economic Principles in Action; Effects of Fiscal Policy, Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
Kaliski, B. (2001), Encyclopaedia of Business and its Environment 2nd Edition, Macmillan, New York
Design report
Design report
There are a number of aspects necessary to look into in this report. Inclusive of the considerations to be looked at in the brochure is the color scheme, the choice of the images, typographic considerations, and the risks attached to the experimentation in the document. The consideration of using the red color in some of the texts indicates that it is an important text that will not only attract the readers, but it will emphasize the gravity or importance of the message. Choosing the blue color for some of the elements in the brochure is also necessary for ensuring the behavior demanded from erecting the streetlights, which is not a dangerous behavior.
On the other hand, the images used are for creating an attractive element in the brochure. The design of the images is likely to attract people since they seem appealing, and they give a depiction of what might happen with and without the streetlights. Choosing the sizes of the images also takes into account the fact that a brochure should be a small document that people can be able to carry around in order to sensitize other people in the Oza street, who might not be aware of the happenings.
On the consideration of the typography used in the brochure, it was imperative to design a text typography that would make it easy for people to read. An essential thought was that the typography should make communication easy. The typography also considers the background of the document, which is brighter than the text, meaning that the choice of colors should make the document readable. The color and font associations also make the document readable. Consequently, the risks attached to the document include the random use of images, as well as creativity in putting the message across using unique designs that indicate important texts. This consideration is likely to elicit a positive response from the readers, thereby influencing people using Oza Street to advocate for policies that will ensure street light installation in some of the areas lacking it.
Design of Legal Systems
Design of Legal Systems
For centuries, the design of the legal structure in the United States of America has been a debate among many scholars. Some scholars have championed their opinions on some legal issue that have apparent faults or are unfair to certain parties. Depending on the point and the perspective that the scholars argue from, one can be able to ascertain if their arguments are true or false.
This paper analyzes the different views by two great scholars about the design of the legal structure in the United States of America. The two scholars whose views will be focused on are Roscoe Pound and Marc Galanter in a bid to establish the grounds for their various arguments. Different courts in the United States of America hear and determine thousands of cases are every single day. From the big numbers of pending cases in the courts, it is evident that a majority of people rely on the judicial systems for justice. However, in analyzing it efficiency, most people end up praising the judicial system or criticizing it depending on the outcome of the hearings.
According to Marc Galanter’s argument, the legal structure in the United States only favors the rich and not the poor. Under the constitution all people should be able to receive “equal justice” in any case that is submitted for hearing in any court of law. According to Galanter, in order to be able to get justice, one has to access the law. This can only be achieved through a competent and qualified lawyer who are unfortunately very expensive; hence, can only be afforded by the rich (Ohio State Bar Association 180).
Even though the government offers legal assistance to those presumed to be poor, this assistance is narrowed down to very specific case. “Legal services offices can handle less than a fifth of the needs of eligible clients and often are able to offer only brief advice, not the full range of assistance that is necessary”. He also argues that even though at times people are able to win cases in court, they end up losing in life as. “Money often matters more than merits.” Galanter further states that even for those people who can afford the lawyers at times do not succeed in their cases. His justification is emphasized in his statement that, “Defendants just over the poverty line who hire their own attorneys don’t necessarily fare better. Most of the lawyers that such people afford do not have the experience and most of the time ends up not representing their clients effectively.” He emphasizes his argument by stating people who live just above the poverty line get counsels who “never tried a case before and never should again (Ohio State Bar Association 200).”
In order to be able to get access to justice, one has to know the procedures to this end. Apparently, most Americans do not know how to get access to justice and as a result, many end up not getting justice at all. Some Americans believe that they are at liberty to be accorded legal aid. Galanter states that, “Not only are Americans ambivalent about ensuring legal assistance, they are ill informed about the assistance currently available. Almost four-fifths incorrectly believe that the poor are now entitled to legal aid in civil cases, and only a third thinks that they would have a very difficult time obtaining assistance”. For those Americans who are entitled to legal aid only limited services are available as the legal offices are overwhelmed by the cases and can only handle about a fifth of the cases (Ohio State Bar Association 170).
Roscoe Pound is another scholar who has offered his views on the design of legal systems. In his argument, he acknowledges that equal justice exists, but apparently only in the law books. However, there is no action to show that it exists. According to Roscoe, the design of the legal system is very effective but the persons that are supposed to implement the policies are not performing as required. Most people are very ignorant of the judicial systems. They do not know how deal with some legal issues and do not ask for guidance from the many legal offices available (Ohio State Bar Association 210).
Analysis
Both scholars place their argument based on very vital issues. Although there seem to be a difference in opinion, they are all aimed at enhancing better structures of the legal systems. The legal structure is meant to ensure fair access to legal aid for those who cannot be able to afford it. Galanter agrees that the legal aid is available but has issues with the way it executes its duties.
Conclusion
Legal structure is very vital in ensuring a competent legal system. Even though at times the design might not seem perfect, determining and rectifying the disparities will ensure the design is convenient to every person. A good legal system design is the one that takes care of the interests of all parties regardless of age, gender, or social status.
Works Cited
Ohio State Bar Association. CLE Institute.Faith, Conscience and the Law: Creative Tension and Conflicting Interests. New York: Ohio State Bar Association. CLE Institute, 2006. Print.