Cigarette pack labelling in 12 countries at different levels of economic development

Abstract

With increasing restrictions on cigarette marketing, the cigarette pack itself has become a main means of marketing. We describe a method to examine cigarette labelling and use it to evaluate packs collected from 12 countries at different stages of economic development. Health warnings were present on all 115 packs of cigarettes examined, but were on the front and back panels of only 68 per cent. Promotional labels were widespread, found on packs from all countries and more numerous (although not necessarily larger) than health warning labels in 10 of the 12 countries. Deceptive terms such as 'light' and 'mild' were observed on 42 per cent of all packs examined. The simple method described here can be used to compare cigarette labelling and potentially evaluate and track the implementation of cigarette labelling policy. We found health warning legislation poorly enforced and cigarette packs widely used to promote smoking and deceive smokers about health risks. The findings underline the need for generic (plain) packaging.

Analysing compliance of cigarette packaging with the FCTC and national legislation in eight former Soviet countries

“…These findings are similar to those from our earlier study of 12 countries in Asia, Latin America, Europe and Australasia which noted adequate compliance with health warning labelling, but weak national policies and compliance on deceptive labelling 10. There is a clear need to enforce FCTC recommendations and strengthen national legislation as the existence of deceptive labelling undermines the effects of health warning labels.…”

“…In the surveys we asked smokers which brands they smoked and we then obtained packets of each of the 10 commonest brands in the eight countries. These were then analysed using the standardised data collection instrument we had developed previously 10. A total of 79 packets were collected from the eight countries and analysed (only nine were analysed for Armenia as duplicate brands were collected there).…”

“…In a previous study, we described the development of a standardised instrument for examining cigarette pack labelling and applied it to 12 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin American and Australia 10. In this study we extend this analysis to eight countries in the fSU.…”

Cigarette packet warning labels can prevent relapse: findings from the International Tobacco Control 4-Country policy evaluation cohort study

“…Despite the documented effectiveness of WLs, a recent review indicated that many FCTC signatory countries, particularly those with lower incomes, are failing to meet FCTC standards 32. These are sometimes the countries where less resources are devoted to tobacco control and raising public awareness of the risks of smoking.…”

Cigarette pack labelling practices in Nigeria-Implications for policy recommendations

“…Information was obtained on i colours, promotional and warning labels, principal display areas, tar level and use of deceptive terms. In line with a previous study [12], a label health warning was classified as general if it does not refer to any specific disease. Also, promotional labels were defined as any label that could promote smoking in general or that brand in particular, and included misleading descriptors [12].…”