Get ready for plain packaging in the Nordic countries

2.6.2016

The secretaries Generals of the cancer societies in the Nordic countries call for the introduction of plain packaging in all the Nordic countries on the World No Tobacco Day, 31 of May.

The common goal is to prevent tobacco use among children and young people.

Adolescents are the main targets of plain packaging, and international research shows clear connection between plain packaging and smoking prevalence. Plain packaging of tobacco products refers to measures that restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colors, brand images or promotional information on packaging.

Guidelines to Articles 11 and 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) recommend that parties consider adoption of plain packaging. The Tobacco Products Directive became applicable in the EU Member States on 20 May 2016. The Directive enables e.g. plain packaging.

Every year 37 800 people in the Nordic countries die as a result of tobacco-related diseases, and 5 000 of them are Finnish.

In 2010, Finland was the first country in the world to adopt a new Tobacco act which aims to completely ban smoking and the use of all tobacco products by 2030.

Statement on plain packaging(opens in a new window) (pdf)
Tobacco Products Directive of EU(opens in a new window) (ec.europa.eu)
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control(opens in a new window) (WHO FCTC, who.int)

Further information:

Chief Medical Officer, Health Promotion Eeva Ollila, eeva.ollila@cancer.fi, tel. 040 595 2363
Director, Communications and Foresight Satu Lipponen, satu.lipponen@cancer.fi, tel. 050 563 4558