Some success for plain packs

Between 15 and 20 percent of non-smokers, ex-smokers and experimental smokers aged 12-24 years of age say that Australia’s standardized tobacco packaging has made them less likely to take up smoking, according to a story by Carolyn Crist for Reuters citing a new study.

A third of the current smokers interviewed in a telephone survey said they had tried to quit or had thought about quitting because of the packaging.

And a quarter of those interviewed reported reacting to a feeling of social denormalization by hiding their packs from view, using a case to cover their packs or being embarrassed about smoking.

“This is one of the first studies to show that … plain packs have had an impact on smoking-related thoughts, feeling and behaviors among Australian adolescents and young adults,” lead author Sally Dunlop of the Cancer Institute in New South Wales was reported to have told Reuters Health.

Australia, in December 2012, became the first country to require standardized packs, which are dark olive green in color with the brand name and number of cigarettes in a standard font and design on the front. Health warnings were updated and increased in size to cover 75 percent of the front and 90 percent of the back of packs.