Has plain packaging impacted smoking?

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?

SimDiesel

13th Feb 2014 05:26pm

No, It is a blatant rip off via the govt..
Plain or advertised colouring of packaging has ZERO effect on consumers.
A smoker will smoke regardless.
All the govt. did was reduce the costs of the suppliers making them more money, still taxing the shithouse out of cigarettes and making billions from it.
If it's so bad, ban it, otherwise piss off..
How many times do you walk into an RSL club and see a line of 90+yo grannys gambling away all day smoking that have probably smoked since they were teenagers???
It CAN cause ill affects, just like driving a car or walking down the street.
It CAN cause cancer, but what doesn't these days?
Don't smoke, don't drink, don't go outside, don't let the sun see you.
May as well sit in a box inside your home and die of all the deficiencies this stupid mentality is causing to everybody.
You live ONCE, go enjoy it! No point denying yourself everything under the sun (or shade as do-gooders would like) and live a shitty life instead of going out and having everything in a bit of moderation..