Note: World Lung Foundation united with The Union North America. From January 2016, the combined organization is known as “Vital Strategies.”
(New York, USA) ––World Lung Foundation (WLF) today urged the UK Government to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products without further delay. The Government had been awaiting the findings of the Chantler Review into the potential effectiveness of plain packaging before making a decision on the matter and today said that it intends to present details of potential legislation in the near future. Until plain packaging and large graphic warnings are implemented, the tobacco industry will continue to use package design to market its products and lead children into nicotine addiction.
Action needed to reduce smoking prevalence
According to The Tobacco Atlas, over a fifth of UK adults smoke and 45 percent of 13-15 year olds are exposed to secondhand smoke in the home. Over a fifth of deaths in the UK are due to tobacco and smoking costs the UK economy US$9,584 million every year. Smoking prevalence has remained broadly static since 2007, indicating that new interventions are required in order to further reduce the burden of tobacco use in the UK.
Evidence that plain packaging works
There is a substantial body of evidence gathered in many countries over more than a decade that suggests traditional cigarette packaging impacts the attitudes of current smokers and plays a role in encouraging youth to start smoking. Pack colours, design and logos are used to influence consumer opinions, build brand loyalty, and attract certain consumer segments – including youth.
Plain packaging prevents the tobacco industry from being able to market its products in this way. In addition, it helps to increase the noticeability and effectiveness of graphic health warnings. Plain packaging and large graphic health warnings comply with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the global tobacco control treaty that commits its more than 170 Parties to reduce demand and supply of tobacco products. The UK is a party to the FCTC.
The tobacco industry argues that plain packaging does not work, but there is an increasing body of evidence indicating that it can influencing opinions on tobacco use and increase interest in quitting. Researchers from the University of Sydney and Cancer Institute NSW found that the introduction of plain packaging in Australia triggered a 78 per cent jump in weekly calls to Quitline NSW, with the effect lasting for nearly a year.
Peter Baldini, Chief Executive Officer, World Lung Foundation, commented: “We were not surprised to hear that the tobacco industry has presented misleading evidence to the Chantler Review. When big tobacco is allowed a voice in public health policy, it does its utmost to disrupt, misinform and mislead to prevent positive change. Let’s not forget, tobacco companies knew about the health risks of smoking for decades while at the same time denying the published findings of health professionals. The industry’s involvement in the debate about plain packaging is a clear conflict of interest with public health. We trust that Sir Cyril Chantler has seen through the tobacco industry’s dubious data and flawed arguments and has concluded, like the Moodie Systematic Review in 2012, that there is strong evidence to support the introduction of plain packaging.
“It’s important to realise that this is more than a debate about whether a business can use its trademarks. According to experts from The University of Bath, an additional 148,554 British children will have started smoking since plain packaging was put on hold in July 2013. Plain packaging and large graphic warnings may have deterred some of those children from starting a deadly habit. These children, and others like them, deserve better. We urge the UK Government to take a decisive stance and act in the best interests of public health by implementing standardized packaging without delay.”