A Cochrane Review published today finds plain tobacco packaging may lead more smokers to quit, as well as reduce the appeal of tobacco.

A new law, which comes into full effect in May, states that all cigarette packs must feature health warnings and have a standard colour, shape and font.

The Cochrane review team examined 51 different studies.

 

Cochrane lead author, and deputy director of the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies, Professor Ann McNeill from King’s College London, said: “Evaluating the impact of standardized packaging on smoking behaviour is difficult to do; but the evidence available to us, whilst limited at this time, indicates that standardized packaging may reduce smoking prevalence.

"These findings are supported by evidence from a variety of other studies that have shown that standardized packaging reduces the promotional appeal of tobacco packs, in line with the regulatory objectives set. It would appear that the impact of standardized packaging may be affected by the detail of the regulations such as whether they ban descriptors, such as ‘smooth’ or ‘gold’, and control the shape of the tobacco pack.”

Co-author Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, from the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group, Oxford, UK, added: “Our evidence suggests that standardized packaging can change attitudes and beliefs about smoking, and the evidence we have so far suggests that standardized packaging may reduce smoking prevalence and increase quit attempts.”