Increase in Quitline calls triggered by standard cigarettes

According to a new study published in the Medical Journal of Australia, standard tobacco packages increased calls to Australian stop-smoking helpline with 78%. The study was released by the University of Sydney and the Cancer Institute New South Wales (NSW). According to David Currow, chief executive of the Cancer Institute NSW, standard cigarettes could have health benefits for combating the harmful effects which come with smoking. Professor Jane Young, scientific director at the Cancer Institute NSW considers that the effects are standard tobacco packages are immediate. Professor Young added: “Our study demonstrates real behaviour change following the introduction of plain packaging, which is one incremental but important measure of the broader impact of this policy. We did not just measure what people think or intend to do – we saw real action among smokers to quit, which is very encouraging”. Alison Cox, Cancer Research UK's head of tobacco policy was also involved in the study.