Australia
New research into the habits of smokers has found many are unaffected by anti-smoking policies like plain packaging, and in some cases, are actually encouraged to smoke.
Associate professor Simone Dennis from the Australian National University (ANU) spent a decade studying the changing experience of the modern-day smoker, and the effects of plain packaging, graphic warnings, and increased tobacco prices. Her research found that not only were many smokers smoking despite health warnings, but that some would seek out cigarettes because of them.
Dennis said she encountered young pregnant women who were encouraged, not deterred, by some of the warnings.
“They were absolutely terrified of giving birth to a large baby, that was their primary fear,” Dennis said. “So they would seek out packets that had the message smoking could make a baby smaller, and deliberately smoke in order to accomplish that aim. [It’s] very obviously not how the messaging is intended to work.” Dennis said many smokers would exchange packets or move their cigarettes into other non-labelled containers to avoid having to see certain health warnings.
Dennis also said there was a misconception that if smokers were given information on the health dangers, they would quit. She said for many that approach would not drive them to stop smoking.
“Figure out why they’re smoking, what it means to them, what it does for them, all of that sort of stuff,” Dennis said. “And then involve people in crafting strategies.”