Tobacco packaging ban needs to be debated

Further to Cliona McCormack’s letter (Irish Examiner, Aug 9) the following needs to be considered in relation to the debate regarding the introduction by law of plain packaging for tobacco products in Ireland.

Far from describing standardised ‘plain’ packaging as a novel way of stopping youngsters smoking it is hardly a novelty when it has been tried without producing any results.

In Australia where this was introduced in Dec 2012 there is no evidence that smoking levels have altered despite the duty on tobacco also being raised.

A recent study indicated that smokers ‘might stop smoking’, but this was carried out in November before plain packaging was introduced and only described future possible intentions and not what has actually taken place.

In addition, it is not an innovative health policy to encourage the illicit trade and thereby open the door to cheap unregulated product being sold by unauthorised traders to the young and the vulnerable.

The technical processes of packaging manufacturing add complexity to the product which standardisation eliminates. The unscientific approach of showing children printed and plain packs and asking what is more appealing is not the evidence to base a decision with unforeseen consequences onto the country.

Evidence-based government decisions are much preferred to the imposition of excessive regulation with questionable results.

Michael Ridgway

UK Packaging Industry spokesman

Ghyll Wood

West Yorkshire

England