France is contemplating a proposal to adopt plain packaging for cigarettes in order to tackle increasing rates of smoking in the country.

As per the figures released by the World Health Organization, around 31% of adults in France are regular smokers, positioning the country at third place in western Europe.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The country intends to enforce plain packaging as part of a law that would require cigarette brand names to be mentioned on the packages with standardised neutral lettering.

French Health Minister Marisol Touraine said the proposed law is aimed at reducing the number of smokers in France by 10% by 2019.

"French Health Minister Marisol Touraine said the proposed law is aimed at reducing the number of smokers in France by 10% by 2019."

France’s University of Rennes conducted a survey in 2008 whereby 905 smokers and non-smokers were shown one out of six real cigarette packs and asked to answer different questions. According to the results, plain packs were found to be less attractive, compared with the ones being used.

See Also:

Plain packs will also help in reducing the impact of cigarettes advertising and to influence behavioural intentions of smokers and non-smokers, says the government.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

If the law is passed, cigarette packets would not display any logos, should be the same in size and colour, and would carry shocking pictures and slogans to deter smokers.

As cited in The Wall Street Journal, Australia was the first country to introduce plain cigarette packaging in 2012, while the UK is expected to come out with laws in favour of plain packaging before the country’s general election in May 2015.

Meanwhile, tobacco companies have lashed out at the new law, saying that it will be a clear case of intellectual property theft, besides increasing trade on the black market.