Plain cigarette packets could reduce UK smokers by 300,000

The introduction of plain cigarette packaging could reduce the number of smokers in the UK by as many as 300,000, according to new research.

Independent health organisation Cochrane Review found that plain packaging, which is similar to a measure introduced successfully in Australia, had an effect on smokers in the country.

From 20 May, tobacco firms must ensure cigarette packs maintain a standard colour, shape and font, as well as the inclusion of health warnings. The warnings must take up at least 65% of the surface of the pack.

From 20 May tobacco firms must ensure cigarette packs maintain a standard colour, shape and font

Cochrane reviewed the evidence from dozens of studies into the effect of plain packaging in Australia, attributing a fall of the smoking population 0.5% in the year after it was introduced, after the general trend of falling smoker numbers were considered.

"We are not able to say for sure what the impact would be in the UK, but if the same magnitude of decrease was seen in the UK as was observed in Australia, this would translate to roughly 300,000 fewer smokers following the implementation of standardised packaging," said co-author of the report, Cochrane's Jamie Hartmann-Boyce.

Smokers' groups have dismissed the research however, saying that the reduction in smoking habits in Australia is more to do with increased taxation than standardised packaging.

"It's grasping at straws to credit plain packaging with the continued reduction in smoking rates, because the most significant anti-smoking measure in recent years in Australia has been a massive increase in tobacco taxation," said Forest group director Simon Clark in a statement.