Online Gambling Allowed In The Netherlands

Another recent piece of news considering this topic concerns all the Dutch poker players...
So if you're a Dutch poker player read on, and if you're a Media&Society student please read on as well :)

The Dutch government recently stated that it seeks to allow online gambling and lift the restrictions that hundreds of thousands of Dutch people ignore.

This idea was proposed by the new, more liberal (can it even be more liberal in the Netherlands..?) government and proposes that licenses should be granted to online games such as poker, bingo and sports betting. By allowing internet gambling, the government can regulate the process more easily, which in turn creates somewhat of a win-win situation for both parties.
For this, I believe, we can thank technology. With the improvement of the online sector, things such as gambling no longer need to be restricted to confined areas which are created for the sole purpose of deepening gambling addiction. As I previously mentioned in my introductory post, casinos are purposefully created in such a way as to keep you there as long as possible and basically make you gamble all your money away in the hope of winning big. With the improvement of technology, games such as poker or even sports betting no longer need to be frowned upon as being connected to the mafia or otherwise dirty business, but rather can be performed and enjoyed in the comfort of one's own home. In this way, an individual can regulate the extent of his wins or losses without environmental pressure. The government can in turn regulate this business as well as gain a decent annual revenue. Furthermore, the legal online gambling sector can provide an interesting new area for advertising.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/19/us-netherlands-gambling-
idUSTRE72I20F20110319

Plain Cigarette Packaging-Increases Awareness For Light Smokers!

One of the more recent issues with cigarette advertising is plain packaging. For those of you who haven't heard, the cigarette lobby officially failed and the proposed idea of removing all imagery and color from cigarette packs is the new way to go. As you can see above, everything but the health warning and the name of the brand has been removed from the package. I must admit that removing all advertising from a product is a good way to go in order for people to not buy the product. Speaking for myself (and perhaps a few others..?) I am slightly concerned, as a mass media student who is hoping to work in advertising, as to whether this is a legitimate move. The tobacco industry is heavily taxed and the incoming revenue is not all together insignificant, which is why I wonder that in spite of the fact that we are aiming for a healthier society, perhaps we should be more worried with hunger and AIDS rather than whether or not cigarettes packs are colorful...
Nevertheless, recent research shows that light smokers pay more attention to health warnings on plain cigarette packages. This is significant as it can deter light smokers or non-smokers from "lighting" their first step towards addiction and a nasty habit. The plain packaging can also discourage young adults from smoking as it takes away from the "cool factor". It is inevitable, though sometimes disregarded, that smoking on its own is not exactly the reason why young people start. It evolves, just like everything today, somewhat into a matter of developing one's personal identity- what is more interesting, who has a new "cool" pack of cigarettes, who smokes which brand and why etc. Plain cigarette packaging is taking away this factor and could definitely discourage potential new smokers. However, one must always keep in mind that with plain cigarette packaging, the cigarette black market can flourish, posing even greater health risks on society, as it is easier and cheaper to "fake" a plain package.

Australia is the first country to incorporate plain packaging and the United Kingdom should follow up beginning 2012.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/plain-cigarette-packaging-highlights-warnings-study

P.S. Despite all this, the tobacco industry never sleeps! Presenting to you- the SmokeShirt.

Introduction

Fellow Media & Society students!

The purpose of my blog is to shine a light on what is currently going in the area of demerit goods.
Demerit goods are products such as cigarettes, alcohol, or even playing cards. As I am sure most of you have noticed, we live in an era when it is no longer acceptable to smoke in the hospital (or even in a restaurant or bar for that matter), drink in public, see a single alcohol or cigarette ad and gamble in the privacy of..well.. casinos.

In the past, putting restrictions and limitations on these types of goods was always a controversial issue and not always met with the warmest approval from society. The American prohibition resulted in illegal bars, the current strong laws in the United States account for teenage binge drinking and drug abuse. Generally, it wasn't always the best idea.

However, we live in a society that is pro-health and these goods are no longer freely accepted. Of course, the media play a large role in the effects on society. Which is one of the reasons why we are forced to drink inside, forced to smoke outside and gamble in the shady premises of hermetically sealed casinos. Yay!

Of course, one cannot completely dismiss the fact that our newly adopted healthy society is a step forward to creating a "better" world. And though the media create awareness and significantly contribute to decreasing smoking-related diseases, increase awareness about drinking and driving, and generally going "green", some people are beginning to feel like out of a George Orwell novel.

In this blog we will look at some of these issues, how the media portray them, and what are the ramifications on society. Read on!