THE MURATTI Vase may have to be renamed because of anti-smoking legislation being drafted in Jersey.
A law being drawn up there calls for all tobacco advertising and branding to be banned.
The consultation document, which received public support, stated: ‘ “Advertisement” includes every form of recommendation of smoking or tobacco to the public including a statement of the manufacturer’s name or the brand of tobacco.’
It appears the draft legislation failed to realise the impact a ban would have on the the prize for the 104-year-old football competition, which is named after a tobacco manufacturer.
A similar consultation was also recently launched in Guernsey but is several months behind Jersey’s.
Guernsey Adolescent Smoke-free Project chairman Alun Williams did not want to see the name changed.
‘The Muratti Vase is very much part of our history. I wouldn’t want to see the name changed because most people are not aware of the historical association with cigarettes.
‘If it was called something like Benson and Hedges I might have a different view on it – it is a non-issue for young people,’ he said.
‘They are not competing in a tobacco-sponsored event. Therefore I don’t think the legislation will cover the name of the vase itself.’
He added that Gasp considered it less important than other aspects of tobacco legislation and young people.
‘I’m convinced that the outcome of the legislation will not mean we will have to rename it and there is no reason to do so,’ he said.
Chairman of Guernsey Football Association and president of the Inter-insular Football Committee Mark Le Tissier did not wish to comment until the committee had met to discuss the issue.
Jersey head of health improvement Andrew Heaven told the Jersey Evening Post that he had not known that Muratti was a cigarette brand.
He said he would raise the issue with the health minister to see how they could progress with the legislation.
While Muratti cigarettes can be bought online, they are no longer available in Guernsey but were a popular brand more than 100 years ago.
Article posted on 27th March, 2009 - 2.29pm
6 Article Comments
Whatever next? Daphne du Maurier books sold under the counter.
What are they on?
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I’m also told there is a proposal for renaming the Phalacrocorax aristotelis or European Shag. If ever there has been a winged ambassador for hand rolling tobacco!!
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I suggest we rename “the strand”, the county of ‘Kent’ needs to be grubbed immediately off the face of the earth. And as for Mayfair – I’ll sell my flat immediately! And don’t we have a Dutch Consulate here? Arrest him!
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I was not even aware of the tobacco connection, the name should not be changed it is a part of all our islands history! How daft can things get?
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They should just not change it. I would like to see Jersey take the Muratti cup to court, it won’t happen.
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An Obituary printed in the London Times…….. Interesting and sadly rather true
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who
has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was,
since hisbirth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He
will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the
worm; Life isn’t always fair; and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend
more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children,
are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for
reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the
job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly
children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental
consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could
not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an
abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses;
and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in
her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by
his wife,Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son,Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I’m A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do
nothing.
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