 Cigarette packs could soon feature more messages to try and encourage people to quit smoking. Packets already have warnings and graphic photographs printed on the outside – but now the government could follow in Canada and Israel's footsteps by adding inserts. They would list health and financial benefits of giving up cigarettes, and would direct people to advice and support services. A consultation into the plans by the Department of Health launched today and will run until October. An evaluation of the project in Canada found people who saw the inserts multiple times were significantly more likely to try and give up smoking. Examples found in Canadian cigarette packs include messages like 'Never quit trying to quit' and 'you've got what it takes to go smoke-free'. It's hoped inserts could lead to 30,000 more people giving up the habit, which could save the NHS £1.6 billion. Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said pack inserts would help the government reach its target to get smoking rates across the nation below 5%. Packs already feature printed warnings and sometimes graphic images (Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images) Canada is already adding inserts to its cigarette packets (Picture: Health Canada) She said: 'They will help deliver not just the Smokefree 2030 ambition, but also the Major Conditions Strategy, as smoking is responsible for all six major conditions from cancer to cardiovascular and respiratory disease, as well as dementia, mental ill health and musculoskeletal disorders.' Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: 'Smoking places a huge burden on the NHS, economy and individuals. 'It directly causes a whole host of health problems – including cancers and cardiovascular disease – and costs the economy billions every year in lost productivity. 'By taking action to reduce smoking rates and pursuing our ambition to be smoke free by 2){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Cigarette packs could soon feature more messages to try and encourage people to quit smoking.
Packets already have warnings and graphic photographs printed on the outside – but now the government could follow in Canada and Israel’s footsteps by adding inserts.
They would list health and financial benefits of giving up cigarettes, and would direct people to advice and support services.
A consultation into the plans by the Department of Health launched today and will run until October.