The plain packet, a chaotic record

The plain cigarette packet was introduced in France on 1 January 2017. Many hopes of a change in attitudes were pinned on the scheme, but few satisfying results have been recorded. Eighteen months on, the outcome remains disappointing, with the number of smokers rising steadily.

A rather ineffective fight against smoking

The plain packet was seen as an asset in the fight against tobacco. Shock images, blunt messages and a packet promising a bleak rather than an idyllic future: anyone should have given up touching it. Anyone, perhaps, but apparently not smokers, who have been deterred by nothing. French people smoke as much as before, if not more, the customs administration reports. Restocking by tobacconists has risen by more than 1.4% since 2016.

While the manufacturers were worried about the effects of this much-discussed plain packet, they are relieved to find that the expected effect has not materialised. Cigarette sales rose by 4.5% in a year. Not only did the measure have no impact on smokers, it appears to have had the opposite effect.

The health ministry faced with its failure

The aim was to make young people aware of the health risks of tobacco. But smoking is still seen as just as “cool” by teenagers and young adults. Refusing to admit defeat, the senior health authorities consider that a positive outcome will only be measurable over time.

The idea of varying the shock images was also approved by the health ministry. That is how, in May 2017, 14 new images came to appear on packets.

The paradox of the plain packet

While cigarette sales are rising, so are sales of products meant to help people stop smoking. In February 2017, pharmacies recorded a 29% rise in sales of “stop smoking” methods.

The flat annual reimbursement of 150 euros paid by the French health insurance system since November 2016 allows those who wish to do so to obtain help in stopping smoking, through these pharmaceutical products.