A new review has found that the new plain packets of cigarette packets is helping to stop people smoking and save lives.
From 20th May, it will be illegal to sell tobacco packets that don’t conform to the restrictions, which ban all logos, increase the size of health warnings and also have minimum requirements.
There will be no branding or logos, instead all packets will be in a uniform colour and shape, with brand names in a standard font, size and colour.
The only thing allowed on packets will be health warnings and graphic pictures which will be bigger and on both the front and back, as well as Government mandated information.
Since May last year, tobacco companies have had to cease production of the old branded packets and shops have been selling through stock and gradually introducing the new plain packaging.
In November last year, some of Britain’s biggest tobacco firms lost a legal battle in the Court of Appeal against plans for the new plain packs.
The companies were appealing a high court decision that upheld the new rules forcing firms to ditch their branding.
Now, a world-renowned Cochrane Review, has concluded the measures will help British smokers to kick their habit.
Experts are also hoping that the measures will have a big impact on younger generations, in particular.
Co-author Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, from the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group, Oxford, said: “Our evidence suggests that standardised packaging can change attitudes and beliefs about smoking.
“And the evidence we have so far suggests that standardised packaging may reduce smoking prevalence and increase quit attempts.”
According to the World Health Organisation smoking tobacco kills more people globally than any other preventable cause of death.
The UK law on standardised packaging follows in the footsteps of Australia and the first Cochrane researchers reviewed 51 studies that look at the health effects of standard packaging and found that data collected by the Australian government shows a reduction in smoking.
Meanwhile, other studies support the idea that plain packaging is less appealing to smokers.
The researchers have found no evidence the standard fag packs increased tobacco use.
Cochrane lead author and director of the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies, professor Ann McNeill, from King’s College London, said: “The evidence available to us, while limited at this time, indicates that standardised packaging may reduce smoking prevalence.
“These findings are supported by evidence from a variety of other studies that have shown that standardised packaging reduces the promotional appeal of tobacco packs, in line with the regulatory objectives set.
“It would appear that the impact of standardised 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.”
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of leading charity, ASH said: “Standard packs are a landmark public health policy the tobacco industry fought tooth and nail to prevent.
“As evidence grows it is easy to see why.
“Smokers already saying they feel differently about their pack of cigarettes and in years to come we expect to see fewer young people smoking as they are no longer seduced by glitzy, brightly coloured packs.”
The new findings are published in the Cochrane Library.
