WHO calls for plain packaging on tobacco products
Authorities believe that plain packaging would essentially make tobacco products less attractive to consumers.
THE Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has announced its support of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) call to compel all tobacco companies to use plain packaging for its products. The call included the request for graphic warning signs to be used on the packaging. This comes as the world celebrates No Tobacco Day.
“Plain packaging is an important reduction measure, making tobacco products less attractive, restricting the use of tobacco packaging to be used as a form of advertising and limiting misleading packaging and labelling,” said CANSA KZN divisional services manager, Cara Noble.
Noble added that they hoped the packaging with the graphic signs would highlight the harmful affects of tobacco.
In Australia, where the new restrictions have been implemented, authorities have noted a 13 per cent reduction in tobacco consumption.
Elize Joubert, CANSA’s CEO, said, “We’re pleased that the South African government has already worked on a draft bill to this effect. Tobacco still remains one of the biggest killers in the world, albeit in the form of cancer or other tobacco-related diseases.
