Geneva, 31 MAY 2016 – The World Health Organisation (WHO) has intensified its lobbying of nations to adopt plain (standardized) packaging of tobacco products.
Plain packaging discourages the use of logo or images as promotional items, WHO said, adding that the development can save lives by reducing demand for tobacco products.
“Plain packaging of tobacco products restricts or prohibits the use of logos, colours, brand images and promotional information on packaging other than brand and product names displayed in a standard colour and font style”, the body said.
It noted that in December 2012, Australia became the first country to fully implement plain packaging, while France and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland each began implementation of plain packaging since 20 May 2016.
WHO added that Ireland is also preparing to introduce the measure, while other countries are exploring the option.
“Plain packaging reduces the attractiveness of tobacco products. It kills the glamour, which is appropriate for a product that kills people,” says WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan. “It restricts tobacco advertising and promotion. It limits misleading packaging and labelling. And it increases the effectiveness of health warnings.”
Plain packaging is recommended in WHO FCTC guidelines as part of a comprehensive approach to tobacco control that includes large graphic health warnings and comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
It noted that smoking in Australia has been steadily declining for years since it introduced plain packaging, in conjunction with new and enlarged health warnings, in 2012.
“Between December 2012 and September 2015, there was an additional 0.55 percentage point fall in smoking prevalence among those aged 14 and above attributable to the packaging changes, according Australia’s post-implementation review. This equates to more than 108,000 people quitting, not relapsing or not starting to smoke during that period”, it said.
Dr Oleg Chestnov, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health, says Australia’s plain packaging results demonstrate the great potential of the measure.
“Plain packaging can reduce consumption of tobacco products, as clearly seen in Australia. It offers a powerful tool to countries as part of a comprehensive approach to tackle the scourge of tobacco use,” says Dr Chestnov.
The theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day – Get ready for plain packaging – highlights this new trend in global efforts to control tobacco products, which kill almost 6 million people annually, notes Dr Douglas Bettcher, WHO’s Director for the Prevention of NCDs.
