Removing the last billboard for the tobacco industry: Tobacco standardized packaging in Ireland. Issue 10 (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crosbie, Eric
• Is Part Of: Health policy. Volume 123:Issue 10(2019)
• Page Start: 932
• Page End: 935
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Tobacco -- plain packaging -- health policy -- tobacco industry; Medical education -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; Health Planning -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Enseignement médical -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Medical education; Medical policy; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2019.06.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8510

Abstract

Highlights: The FCTC and EU Tobacco Product Directive support tobacco standardized packaging. Standardized packaging communicates tobacco harms and discourages youth initiation. Ireland became 2 nd country in the world to enact tobacco standardized packaging. Public health advocacy and political will can produce effective health policy solutions. Abstract: The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) implementation guidelines recommend that governments adopt plain packaging (also known as standardized packaging (SP)) along with pictorial health warning labels covering 50% or more of the tobacco package. The 2014 revised European Union Tobacco Product Directive also supports EU member states to introduce SP. Following these developments and recommendations, in 2013 the Department of Health launched a "Tobacco Free Ireland" policy which aimed to reduce the smoking prevalence rate to less than 5% by 2025. Tobacco Free Ireland set out 60 recommendations and measures to reach the 2025 target, including introducing SP. Tobacco companies and trademark and intellectual property organizations opposed the SP proposal claiming it would; 1) not work to reduce smoking levels, 2) increase illicit tobacco trade, 3) create unnecessary problems for retailers, and 4) violate domestic and international laws governing trademarks. However leading health groups in Ireland presented evidence on how SP would communicate the harms of tobacco to smokers and discourage young people from beginning to smoke. These efforts combined with strong political will helped Ireland to become the second country in the world to enact standardized packaging for all tobacco products.