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?

REDNECKBEC

6th Apr 2014 01:17pm

hell no it hasnt i am a smoker have for 7 yrs now the only things that plain packaging has done is piss people of showing horrific images of a dying baby does not put anyone in a good mood. smoking is a choice i know from my point of view taxes on smoking has made more of an impact on me then seeing some horrible picture. i just take them out and put it in something else that way i don't have to look at it. the message doesn't bother me the picture does that's like sharing photos of little kids that have been beaten to death by Muslims and saying this is what you are doing to our country! its the same thing really. the only thing plain packaging is doing is confusing people i have had the smokes i have asked for messed up so much because of it. the government reckons we live in a free country but we cant smoke in certain areas of the public we cant smoke in our cars or we get a fine, but the government doesn't fine cigarette companies for putting toxic chemicals in the tobacco, there are some places that sell plain tobacco with nothing in it but its expensive to get. if the government want to change the heath risks with it take fine the tobacco companies for the chemicals!