Using plain packaging for cigarettes has resulted in 15% drop in smoking rate in Australia, according to a survey.
The survey, which was carried on people aged 14 years and above in December 2013, found that plain packaging had measureable impact on both youth and adults.
On 1 December 2012, the Australian government implemented a new law forcing tobacco products to be sold in plain packaging, free of colorful logos and other branding to drive down smoking in the country.
Since the implementation of law, the smoking rate has gone down from 15.1% in 2010 to 12.8% in 2013.
In addition to plain packaging, Australia has also implemented other tobacco control policies such as introducing graphic cigarette warnings and restricting internet advertising of tobacco products in Australia.
The country also invested over $85m in anti-smoking social marketing campaigns including $27.8m for high-risk and highly disadvantaged groups.
Additionally, the government increased tobacco taxes by 25% in 2010 and would further increase it by 2016.
Australia's success in reducing smoking rates could help other countries such as the UK, Ireland and New Zealand take decision on implementing the law in their countries.
The law was widely opposed by the tobacco industry, which filed a lawsuit against the Australian Government, claiming that the law violated international trade and investment agreements. However, Australian courts upheld the plain packaging law.
Plain packaging, according to a research, reduces the ability of packaging to mislead consumers, in addition to increasing the noticeability, recall and impact of health warning messages.
