blog published by Aspire 2025<\/a> and reproduced here with permission:<\/p>\nAs New Zealand moves towards legislating for plain packaging of cigarettes, the Government should consider measures that extend and improve upon Australia\u2019s model, ASPIRE2025 researchers believe.<\/p>\n
In this study, based on an online survey of 313 New Zealand smokers, our researchers and colleagues in Australia have found that cigarette sticks with printed health warnings or unattractive colours could enhance the effects of plain packaging and further reduce the appeal smoking has to young people.<\/p>\n
Professor Janet Hoek says the team tested reactions to images of four cigarette sticks that either featured printed warnings or had unattractive colours, such as yellow-brown and green.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe found that smokers were significantly less likely to choose the test sticks and found all significantly less appealing than the status quo \u2014 a white cigarette with a brown filter tip,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
A \u201cminutes of life lost\u201d graphic that went from one minute near the tip up to 15 near the butt had the strongest aversive effect relative to the other sticks tested.<\/p>\n
\u201cRequiring cigarette sticks and rolling paper to feature such a graphic, or to be produced in dissuasive colours, would likely increase the impact plain packaging will have on those who smoke, while also deterring others from taking up smoking,\u201d Professor Hoek says.<\/p>\n
View a short video about this research here:
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