Australian Government Report Jumps to Conclusions to Mask Failure of 'Plain' Packaging

Geneva (ots/PRNewswire) -

Analysis Disregards Pre-Existing Decline in Smoking Rates and
Speculates that Objectives will be Met in the Long-Term

The Australian Department of Health's Post-Implementation Review
(PIR) of the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act[1], published today over
eight months too late, comes to the shaky conclusion that the measure
will work over time even though it is unable to support this claim
with credible analysis.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130528/617491 )

"The report fails to properly take into account that smoking rates
had been steadily declining for years, long before the introduction
of this branding ban, and that the measure hasn't accelerated this
decline"[2], says Michiel Reerink, JTI's Regulatory Strategy Vice
President. "Instead, smokers just switched to cheaper cigarettes".
JTI already predicted this in a submission to the Australian
Government in 2011[3], more than a year before the measure came into
force, which was later confirmed by observations of the Australian
experience[4].

"The PIR admits, however, that plain packaging on its own did not
drive down smoking rates, as a number of measures - including massive
tax increases - came into force in the same period", continues Mr.
Reerink.

In a desperate effort to justify the branding ban, the DoH tries
to argue that the measure is 'beginning to work' and that its full
effect will only be clear over time.

"This shortcut analysis was only designed to fulfill political
agendas. It doesn't inspire much trust in the Government's
practices", concludes Mr. Reerink.

JTI, a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies, is a
leading international tobacco manufacturer. It markets world-renowned
brands such as Winston, Camel, Mevius and LD. Other global brands
include Benson & Hedges, Silk Cut, Sobranie and Glamour. With
headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and about 26,000 employees
worldwide, JTI has operations in more than 120 countries. Its core
revenue in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, was USD 10.3
billion. For more information, visit http://www.jti.com.

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1. Post-Implementation Review - Tobacco Plain Packaging,
Australian Government, Department of Health, February 26, 2016:
http://ris.dpmc.gov.au/2016/02/26/tobacco-plain-packaging/

2. "National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2013: tobacco, alcohol
and illicit drugs", Australian Institute of Health and Welfare,
Australian Government.

3. "JTI's response to the Australian Government's Consultation
Paper on the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011, June 2, 2011.

4. "Plain Wrong: cheap smokes are on the rise since plain
packaging". The Australian, C. Kerr and A. Creighton, June 18, 2014.

ots Originaltext: JTI (Japan Tobacco International)
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Marie-Hélène Dubé
JTI Press Office
Phone: +41 22 703 0291
pressoffice@jti.com