I am also heartened by progress on standardised or “plain” packaging – a measure introduced by the treaty and pioneered in Australia, where smoking rates have now fallen to record lows. The early evidence from Australia shows that plain packaging, as part of a comprehensive approach to tobacco control, is diminishing the appeal of tobacco products, increasing the effectiveness of health warnings and reducing the ability of the pack to mislead.
Weren’t we originally told that plain packaging caused an immediate drop in consumption?
That’s now inoperative is it?
Seeing as smoking rates are on a downward trend in the West, aren’t they always at record lows?
One would venture to suggest that since plain packaging is a counterfeiters’ charter, the consumption of legal fags may well have fallen, however…
Pogo,
The illicit cigarettes trade was quite high before plain packaging, so yes it is likely to increase further. http://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/illegal-tobacco-industry-flourishing-in-australia-as-government-hikes-taxes/news-story/c1d28c0a1919d0fbcc499579a2386b28
Smoking rates actually increased after the introduction of so-called “plain” packaging in Australia. It was only after a subsequent hike in tax did they fall down again.
http://freedomwatch.ipa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PP3_qtrly_exp.jpg
The Gladrag itself needs to be plain-packaged ie sold with entirely blank pages. It would be both more interesting and useful. Being once again able to wrap chips.
That or compile those faux newspaper chip-wrappers into a publication.
Same result.
Plain packs are in the uk now, but there’s an interesting wrinkle- my preferred brand used to be £6:50 for 18.
The regs prohibit sales of less than a pack of 20. The price has stayed the same.
So fags are now cheaper than before.
Result (I have a dunhill cig case anyhow)
Gotta love smokers. Resisting worldwide tyranny of do-gooders.
It’s the best reason to smoke.
I love the Guardian proudly displaying an opinion piece from the unelected head of an international organisation which bans the press from its meetings and organises its jollies in some of the most repressive countries on earth.