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Plain Packaging

From 20th May 2016, tobacco products in Wales underwent a transformative change with the introduction of standardised, or plain, packaging laws. These regulations were implemented to reduce smoking rates and protect future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.

What's The Issue?

Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death, claiming the lives of half its long-term users. The majority of these individuals begin smoking in childhood, influenced by targeted advertising and appealing branding. Standardised plain packaging removes branding as a tool for tobacco companies, focusing attention on the health dangers associated with smoking.

Why It Matters?

Protecting Young People from Tobacco Harm

In Wales, most smokers start their habit in childhood, with over 60% of current adult smokers reporting they began smoking before the age of 18. Removing the allure of branded packaging plays a crucial role in preventing young people from starting to smoke.

Reducing Misleading Branding

Descriptive terms like "lite," "natural," and "organic" often misled consumers into thinking some cigarettes were less harmful. Standardised packaging prohibits these descriptors, ensuring clearer communication about the dangers of smoking.

Strengthening the Impact of Health Warnings

Plain packaging places graphic health warnings front and centre, covering 65% of the front and back of packs, and ensuring the messages are impossible to ignore. These warnings are an effective tool in encouraging smokers to quit and deterring uptake.

Tackling Smoking Inequalities

Smoking prevalence remains highest in Wales' most deprived communities, exacerbating health inequalities. By reducing the appeal of tobacco, plain packaging supports efforts to lower smoking rates in these areas and promote healthier futures.

Regulation Changes

On 20th May 2016, the UK implemented regulations requiring all tobacco products to comply with standardised packaging laws. This included a one-year transition period to phase out existing branded stock.

The key changes included:

All tobacco products sold in plain, drab green packaging.

Large, graphic health warnings covering 65% of the front and back of packs.

No promotional descriptors like “lite,” “natural,” or “organic.”

Cigarettes sold in packs of at least 20 sticks and hand-rolling tobacco in packs of 30 grams or more.

Key Stats

  • Smoking prevalence in the UK dropped to 12.9% in 2023, continuing a steady decline since standardised packaging was introduced in 2016.
  • A 2017 YouGov survey revealed that 65% of adults in Wales supported the requirement for tobacco to be sold in plain, standardised packaging
  • Smoking among 15-16-year-olds in Wales has reached a historic low, with 5.5% regularly smoking as of the 2023 SHRN survey, compared to 9% in 2018.
  • Research indicates that 85% of smokers in the UK report noticing health warnings on plain packaging, with 50% stating these warnings influenced their decision to consider quitting
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