Monday 2 December 2013

Public Pressure and The Packaging Industry

Last week we heard that the UK Government is set to introduce new legislation that forces tobacco companies to use plain packaging for cigarettes. This is following months of delays from the authorities who believe that the damage to the industry will be too great a price to pay. Those championing the bill state that it is one of the most important health issues facing our country at the moment. This plain packaging idea is especially aimed at children and young adults, where some believe that the sleek advertising glamorises smoking. Since two thirds of people begin smoking as children, Cancer Research UK has argued that plain tobacco packaging could be “one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation.”

It’s been over a year since Australia introduced plain tobacco packaging legislation, and evidence from a survey conducted in Victoria is being used to support the UK bill. It found that smokers using standardised plain brown packets were 81% more likely to consider quitting, and that subconsciously smokers associated the packaging with poorer quality products. This research from Australia is also being used to supported legislation changes in India, Scotland, Ireland and New Zealand. India in particular has a huge health incentive to introduce plain packaging, since one third of its population consume tobacco and almost one million people die from cancer caused by smoking or chewing it every year.

There’s no doubting that this would be a step forwards in making us a healthier nation, but the impacts for the packaging industry are likely to be astronomical. Not only will it hit the tobacco industry hard, but it will bring into question the packaging associated with all products that pose a health risk. How long until alcohol will no longer legally be allowed to be advertised as desirable? How far will this packaging-censorship spread? In the future will soft drinks such as Coca-Cola be required to have plain packaging due to its links to diabetes and obesity? That seems far-fetched but if this law is implemented then it sets the precedent for further change to the packaging industry, and none of us know how far that will extend.
These kinds of changes due to public pressure lead to seismic changes in the global packaging industry. Packaging companies need to stay on top of the changes in laws, and in consumer perception in order to keep their business and marketing strategies up to date with the latest information. The Industry Report Store has a range of market intelligence packaging reports to inform businesses about the current market, trends, insights, and challenges for the future. It’s a tough time for any industry, and when government decisions make incredible impacts on the market, it’s essential for any company to keep up with their competitors by being as well informed as possible.
To view all of our reports on the packaging industry, click here.

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Elizabeth Ryan
Marketing

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Melizabeth.ryan@progressivemediagroup.com
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