Plain packaging won’t cut smoking rates

I have to query your recent reportson plain packaging of tobacco in Australia and the claim it has been a “resounding success”.

The aim of the legislation was to reduce youth smoking rates. However the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare has reported a 36% increase in youth smoking rates in the period 2010-2013. Plain packaging has had no impact on adults either. Monthly figures for the adult (18+) smoking rate are consistent with the long-term decline of smoking in Australia.

Far from accelerating that decline, says Forest, the trend for the year 2013 shows a 1.8% annual increase. Plain packaging is also fuelling the black market. In Australia in 2012, illicit tobacco stood at 11.5% of tobacco consumption. By mid-2014, according to a report by KPMG, it reached 14.3% share of the market. Plain packaging in Australia has failed in its primary objective and has encouraged criminal activity. It is therefore incredibly shortsighted for our government to consider introducing the policy in Ireland.