WHO seeks plain packaging of tobacco products

Gory pictures on tobacco products are passé. The World Health Organisation and the secretariat of the WHO framework convention on tobacco control are calling on countries to get ready for plain (standardised) packaging of tobacco products which means measures to restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colours, brand images or promotional information on packaging other than brand names and product names displayed in a standard colour and font style.

During a meeting in Paris, the ministers and other high-level representatives of health ministries from Australia, France, Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and Uruguay expressed their aspiration for tobacco free societies and promote effective tobacco control measures, specifically the standardised or plain packaging of tobacco products.

According to the International health agency, scientific evidence shows that the design features on tobacco packages in fact make products it more attractive, promote the product, cultivate brand identity and influence the decision to start smoking, especially among young people and women. Therefore, it has urged that in line with their obligations under Articles 11 and 13 of the WHO FCTC “parties should consider adopting plain packaging requirements to increase noticeability and effectiveness of health warnings and to eliminate the effects of advertising or promotion on packaging”.

At present there are only three countries, including Australia, Ireland, UK, who have introduced the plain packaging of tobacco products. Australia, which was the first one to do it two years back, claims that the law has been a great success. Australia’s measure was based on a broad range of research and was supported by leading public health experts.

By enacting the new legislation as part of a package of measures, Australia had led the way in implementing Articles 11 and 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Control (FCTC), the global tobacco control treaty that commits its more than 170 parties to reduce demand and supply of tobacco products.

As per experts, plain packaging aims to reduce the attractiveness, increase the noticeability and effectiveness of mandated health warnings, and reduce the ability of retail packaging to mislead consumers about the harms of smoking.