The latest news from Cafestudy

Has plain packaging impacted smoking?

The latest news from Cafestudy

Posted by: Caféstudy

22nd Jan 2014 04:20pm


A year after plain packaging was introduced, we asked you if you thought it had had an effect and was working to stop people smoking. Was it a worthwhile change, or just an example of the Government making decisions for us?

Your responses are divided between those who think it is a good thing (mostly non-smokers), and those who feel annoyed and think that the initiative is the Government telling you what to do (mostly current smokers). Several of you who have been smoking for many years say that plain packaging has done nothing to change your habits. In fact, some of you even say it has made you more determined to continue smoking! You think that the Government has no right to tell you what to do, and that quitting smoking should be your decision not theirs. As Pete says, “the packaging does not change an addiction to nicotine”. There is some anger at the Government at continuing to use tobacco as ever-increasing tax revenue whilst sending out messages that it is damaging. Why not ban smoking altogether instead for the sake of people’s health?

When it comes to the impact on young people...well, as Careful says; “young persons do not respond to the pictures as youth feel they are indestructible so this is not the way”. There is an element of rebellion among the young, and this is not seen as the best way of approaching the problem.

However, what is interesting is that many smokers who say that the new packaging has had no effect on them actually remove the cigarettes from their packets and put them in their own containers, or buy or make a special cover for the packets. Doesn’t the fact that smokers are covering up the health messages surely tell us that plain packaging is having an impact? After all, if the health messages on the packets do not have any impact on the smoker, then why cover it up?

DDD49
  • 24th Jan 2014 07:13pm

I agree - I've stopped smoking - I stopped smoking for a couple of years after smoking for 40 years but a few years ago @ Peel Health Campus an X-ray showed a large dark patch on my left lung & they thought it was cancer so I thought bugger it I enjoyed smoking & started smoking again after all I'm lucky to be alive after a MVA in 2004 broke my neck and I had a blood clot taken off my brain - I think I had a stroke - so I have an acquired brain in jury with ADHD & Parkinsons due to DUI. Anyway I went to South Fremantle Hospital for a MRI and a week later attended the hospital again for the results - the doctor could not believe it & rushed in to show his manager - there was no marks on my lungs despite me having had pleurisy years ago :) He reckoned it was a miracle & asked which Church I attended - anyway we had been allocated a Homeswest house in Derby, WA so promised the kids I would stop smoking once we were in it. Quiteb frankly I love smoking & still have a drag on a nicorette inhaler as I stop smoking - the biggest incentive to stop is I don't want my little ones smoking & I save $160 per month and will save more as the prices escalate & being on a disability pension it makes it unaffordable or we would have to miss out on essentials! The packaging had no impact upon my decision & simply makes itv harder for shop assistants to ID the brand!


Cancel