WHO backs broader global rollout of plain cigarette packaging

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidance to aid the implementation of plain packaging for tobacco products on a global basis.

A new guide to plain packaging for cigarettes has been issued by the organisation to give governments the latest evidence and guidance on implementing the measure, as recommended by the WHO's Framework Convention for Tobacco Control.

Australia became the first country to fully implement plain packaging in December 2012, with France and the UK rolling out the measure this year. Ireland is also preparing to introduce a similar initiative, while other countries are also considering the idea.

Official figures show that in Australia, there was an additional 0.55 percentage point fall in smoking prevalence among those aged 14 and above between December 2012 and September 2015 that was attributable to the packaging changes.

This is the equivalent of more than 108,000 people quitting the habit, not relapsing or not starting to smoke during that period.

WHO director-general Dr Margaret Chan said: "Plain packaging reduces the attractiveness of tobacco products … It restricts tobacco advertising and promotion. It limits misleading packaging and labelling. And it increases the effectiveness of health warnings."