Plain packaging of tobacco products: evidence, design and implementation

Overview

In 2012, Australia became the first country to implement laws requiring plain (standardized) packaging of tobacco products. Since then, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have passed laws and other countries have initiated legislative processes. This publication describes the purposes of implementing plain packaging as part of a comprehensive approach to tobacco control, the evidence base justifying the measure and developments at the country level, before offering recommendations to countries considering implementing plain packaging.