Implementation of Cigarette Plain Packaging: Triadic Reactions of Consumers, State Officials, and Tobacco Companies—The Case of Saudi Arabia

Hassounah, Marwah; Al‐Zalabani, Abdulmohsen H.; AlAhmari, Mohammed D.; Murriky, Afraa; Makeen, Anwar M.; Alanazi, Abdullah

doi:10.3390/ijerph17082668

Cited by 8 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The tobacco industry has vehemently opposed plain packaging,22 23 using multi-jurisdictional strategies including lobbying, organised opposition and front groups, public relations and media campaigns, and litigation 8 24 25. Each country will face its own obstacles, but strong political will, and the coalescing of civil society, advocates, public health and the medical profession can overcome these barriers 26 27.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plain tobacco packaging: progress, challenges, learning and opportunities

et al. 2022

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The aim of this paper is to overview progress made with respect to the adoption of plain (or standardised) packaging, key challenges faced, evaluative evidence and opportunities for extending this policy. It has been a decade since Australia became the first country to require tobacco products to be sold in plain packaging; after slow initial uptake, 16 countries have now fully implemented this policy. Since 2020, plain packaging laws have become more comprehensive in some countries, expanding coverage beyond traditional tobacco products to include heated tobacco, tobacco accessories (rolling papers) and other nicotine-containing products (e-cigarettes). Laws have also become more innovative: some now ban non-biodegradable filters, include provision for a periodic change of the pack colour or require both plain packaging and health-promoting pack inserts. The tobacco industry has and will continue to use multi-jurisdictional strategies to oppose this policy. Evaluations suggest that plain packaging has improved health outcomes and has not burdened retailers, although research is limited to early policy adopters and important gaps in the literature remain. While the power of packaging as a sales tool has diminished in markets with plain packaging, tobacco companies have exploited loopholes to continue to promote their products and have increasingly focused on filter innovations. Opportunities exist for governments to strengthen plain packaging laws.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plain tobacco packaging: progress, challenges, learning and opportunities

et al. 2022

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“…A significant association between the concept of plain packaging and the intention to quit smoking was established. Hassounah et al 18 also found that smokers' response to the implementation of plain packaging in Saudi Arabia was strong and loud on both social and traditional media channels. The evidence confirms that plain packaging has an impact on perceived taste and quality.…”

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confidence: 99%

Taxation and tobacco plain packaging effect on Saudi smokers quitting intentions in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia

Aljuaid

Almarshad

Almutairi

et al. 2020

SMJ

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Objectives: The current research aims to study the impact of raising tobacco tax and implementation of plain packaging on male smokers' quitting intentions in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study adopts a quantitative approach where close-ended questionnaires are distributed among 1,015 male participants from different regions of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression analysis are conducted using SPSS software to analyze the collected primary data. Results: The study found a significant association of taxation and plain packaging on the quitting intentions of smokers. On taxation, while a considerable number of participants (46.5%) stated Original Article that they would not quit smoking if the cigarette prices increased, participants who were planning to give up smoking said it would strengthen their intention (p<0.001). In addition, logistic regression was performed to identify the independent predictors of quitting intention. Participants who did not want to apply the concept of plain packaging to Saudi Arabia were more likely to have quitting intention (odds ratio: 2.30 [1.61-3.28]) in comparison to those who wanted to apply the concept. Conclusion: Although the current price of cigarette packs reported to be very high by the participants, imposing a new higher tax may motivate smokers who had plans to quit in the near future. Plain packaging seems to be an effective new strategy in addition to tobacco taxation in Saudi Arabia, yet, more time and further research are required to assess the effectiveness of the strategy.

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“…Tobacco smoking causes several chronic diseases, including cancers, lung diseases, and cardiovascular diseases [1][2][3] 4,5 . Consequently, the Saudi government has launched several tobacco control initiatives to combat tobacco smoking 6 . In 2015, an anti-smoking law was enacted in SA to tackle the issue of tobacco use at the national level 7 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar to several countries located in the Eastern Mediterranean region, Saudi Arabia (SA) is witnessing a high prevalence of tobacco use among adults (19.8%) 4 , 5 . Consequently, the Saudi government has launched several tobacco control initiatives to combat tobacco smoking 6 . In 2015, an anti-smoking law was enacted in SA to tackle the issue of tobacco use at the national level 7 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The law includes different provisions that ensure the reduction of demand and supply for tobacco use, such as imposing smoke-free policies in public places, prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors, and regulating tobacco content, packaging, and labeling. A further step was taken by the Saudi government when it imposed 100% taxation on tobacco products in 2017 and adopted plain cigarette packaging 6 , 7 . All of these policies were implemented to prevent and decrease tobacco smoking in the nation 8 , 9 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The associations between the credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body and smoking behavior change among Saudi smokers

Alanazi¹,

Monshi²,

Alfahadi³

et al. 2022

Tob. Induc. Dis.

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INTRODUCTION Recently, Saudi Arabia has extensively reformed its tobacco control policies and extended its smoking cessation services. A public outrage on social media among smokers was witnessed, especially after the implementation of plain cigarette packaging, which might have discredited the significant efforts of tobacco treatment services and tobacco control policies. However, it is not known how the credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body among Saudi smokers might affect their smoking behavior. METHODS Saudi tobacco smokers (n=511) were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. A cross-sectional survey was conducted comprising questions related to the credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body (modified Food and Drug Administration Tobacco Credibility Scale), quit attempts, use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and motivation to change smoking behavior in the future. Logistic and linear regression models were used for the analysis. RESULTSThe public interest subscale of the credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body, was positively associated with confidence in changing smoking behavior (β=0.204; 95% CI: 0.078-0.713; t=2.449, p=0.015) and readiness to change smoking behavior (β=0.237; 95% CI: 0.127-0.727; t=2.802, p=0.005). Moreover, the subscale of expertise was positively associated with confidence in changing smoking behavior (β=0.190; 95% CI: 0.006-0.697; t=1.999, p=0.046) and readiness to change smoking behavior (β=0.225; 95% CI: 0.063-0.710; t=2.352, p=0.019). However, public interest in the credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body was negatively associated with NRT use among smokers who tried to quit (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=0.691; 95% CI: 0.526-0.909). The credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body, however, was not associated with the last month's or ever quit attempts. CONCLUSIONS The credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body was positively associated with motivation to change smoking behavior but negatively associated with NRT use. Optimizing communication tools with the public is a potential avenue for improving smoking treatment and prevention in Saudi Arabia.

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Implementation of Cigarette Plain Packaging: Triadic Reactions of Consumers, State Officials, and Tobacco Companies—The Case of Saudi Arabia

Cited by 8 publications

References 33 publications

Plain tobacco packaging: progress, challenges, learning and opportunities

Plain tobacco packaging: progress, challenges, learning and opportunities

Taxation and tobacco plain packaging effect on Saudi smokers quitting intentions in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia

The associations between the credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body and smoking behavior change among Saudi smokers

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