The adoption of the neutral cigarette package is coughing tobacconists and … – The Express

In France, tobacco would be about 200 deaths per day. It is also the leading preventable cause of death. The Health Minister Marisol Touraine therefore wanted to fight against this scourge with an anti-smoking measure shock. This is now done since it was validated in the National Assembly by 19 votes against 11 and one abstention. It provides for the erasure of colors and logos on cigarette packs, arguing that neutrality would encourage smokers to less purchase. The brand, it still appear, but small. The implementation of these sleek package, meanwhile, is expected to begin part of next year.

So far, Australia was the only country in the world to set the neutral package and its effectiveness was contested. The world’s largest cigarette maker Philip Morris assured that in 2013, it had sold 21 billion cigarettes in Australia, 0.3% more than in 2012. A figure that belied the country’s official reports according to which the number of smoking had declined from 15.1% to 12.8% of the population between 2010 and 2013. In short, no conclusive studies showing this time the influence of neutral packets on tobacco consumption.

Widespread discontent

Philip Morris France estimated mid-March in a statement that “the French government should not rush to adopt this ill conceived and wobbly (…) that could generate even greater explosion of the French black market. ”

Reached by telephone, Xavier Deville, president of the Belgian tobacconists, takes his defense of his French colleagues: “This is not common to other European countries, however there is a need. harmonization if smokers go do their shopping elsewhere. ” A shortfall that serves tobacconists of the Hexagon but “encourage smuggling” by the ease of execution of a simple white package. He said “this measure does not serve the Tobacco Control”, as shocking images that now adorn packages and do more effects. “What is needed are real preventive measures to raise awareness among consumers,” he concluded. Especially the young, who are 40% say regular smokers by INPES.

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