ENSP strongly supports plain packaging as an effective measure for combatting tobacco consumption.

Status of Plain Packaging implementation

Australia was the first country to adopt the measure and implement it in 2012[1] followed by France, which implemented the measure from 31 December 2016.[2] In the UK plain packaging will be in force as of May 2017,[3] while Ireland has signed a commencement order on 29 March 2017, enforcing standardised packaging as of 30 September 2017.[4] Hungary will implement plain packaging in 2018[5] and Slovenia in January 2020.[6] A number of other countries have already taken strong steps in the legislation process or formally considered to introduce the measure such as Norway, New Zealand, Canada, Uruguay, Thailand, Singapore, Belgium, Romania, Turkey, Finland, Chile and South Africa.[7]

ENSP resources:

• ENSP welcomes the European Court of Justice’s decision to reject challenges against the Tobacco Products Directive

• ENSP and ERS congratulate Hungary on the finalisation of plain packaging requirements

• Dods’ report on ENSP-ERS World NoTobacco Day conference: Plain packaging to protect our youth: progress made and challenges ahead

Further resources:

• WHO Plain Packaging of tobacco products: evidence, design and implementation

• Canadian Cancer Society releases 5th edition of report on Cigarette Package Health Warnings

• An international coalition of think tanks and taxpayer associations are challenging plain packaging

• Compilation of information and research about plain (standardized) packaging of tobacco products

References

[1] Australian government, Introduction of plain packaging in Australia, the department of health, 27^th May 2016, available from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/tobacco-plain
[2] Marisol Touraine publie le calendrier d’application du paquet neutre, 22 March 2016, Ministère des Affaires sociales et de la Santé, available from: http://social-sante.gouv.fr/actualites/presse/communiques-de-presse/article/marisol-touraine-publie-le-calendrier-d-application-du-paquet-neutre
[3] Canadian Cancer Society, cigarette package Heath warnings, International status report fifth edition, October 2016, available from: https://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/for%20media/Media%20releases/2016/CCS-international-cigarette-packaging-report-2016-English.pdf?la=en
[4] Department of Health Ireland, Standardised Packaging of Tobacco to be signed into law, to come into force in September http://health.gov.ie/blog/press-release/standardised-packaging-of-tobacco-to-be-signed-into-law-to-come-into-force-in-september/
[5] Canadian Cancer Society, cigarette package Heath warnings, International status report fifth edition, October 2016, available from: https://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/for%20media/Media%20releases/2016/CCS-international-cigarette-packaging-report-2016-English.pdf?la=en
[6] WHO Implementation Database, available from: http://apps.who.int/fctc/implementation/database/groups/slovenia-passes-law-require-plain-tobacco-packaging-2020
[7] Canadian Cancer Society, cigarette package Heath warnings, International status report fifth edition, October 2016, available from: https://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/for%20media/Media%20releases/2016/CCS-international-cigarette-packaging-report-2016-English.pdf?la=en