ERS, together with the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP), strongly support the implementation of plain packaging at national level within the context of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
Evidence-based studies show that plain packaging is an effective measure to reduce the attractiveness of smoking by increasing the salience of health warnings and to decrease the brand appeal, particularly to young people.
There is tremendous momentum on plain packaging. Australia was the first country to adopt the measure and implement it in 2012(1) followed by the UK and France – both implementing it at manufacturer level in 2016(2). Hungary(3) will implement it in 2018(4). At least, 14 other countries worldwide are in the process of introducing plain packaging or are formally considering doing so, such as: New Zealand, Ireland, Norway, Canada, Slovenia, Uruguay, Thailand, Singapore, Belgium, Romania, Turkey, Finland, Chile and South Africa.
This page aims to provide national respiratory societies, NGOs involved in the field of tobacco control or any interested individuals, with resources to advocate for plain packaging in their own countries. Please feel free to translate this material and to include your logo in any advocacy activities for plain packaging.
- ERS/ENSP leaflet on plain packaging
- ERS/ENSP joint statement on plain packaging
- ERS/ENSP letter of congratulations to the Hungarian government on the finalization of plain packaging requirements
- Dods report on the ERS/ENSP World No Tobacco Day Conference: “Plain packaging to protect our youth, progress made and challenges ahead”