Introduction effects of the Australian plain packaging policy on adult smokers: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether smokers smoking from packs required under Australia's plain packaging law had different smoking beliefs and quitting thoughts, compared with those still smoking from branded packs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey during the roll-out phase of the law, analysed by timing of survey. SETTING: Australian state of Victoria, November 2012. PARTICIPANTS: 536 cigarette smokers with a usual brand, of whom 72.3% were smoking from a plain pack and 27.7% were smoking from a branded pack. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceived quality and satisfaction of cigarettes compared with 1 year ago, frequency of thoughts of smoking harm, perceived exaggeration of harms, frequency of tho..