Laos adopts plain packaging for cigarettes

The Lao People's Democratic Republic has become the 26th country in the world to introduce legislation requiring plain packaging for cigarettes, a cost-effective measure that must be accompanied by a range of other measures to reduce smoking.

The adopted text, confirmed by the Minister of Health, will require that all cigarette packets and cartons sold in the country, including in duty-free shops, have plain packaging as well as one of ten new health warnings. Tobacco manufacturers have until December 5, 2024 to implement this obligation, which applies to all cigarette brands.

Plain packaging, a cost-effective measure

There are now 26 countries and territories that have adopted plain packaging, compared to 9 in 2018 and 21 in 2021. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 11 and Article 13 Implementation Guidelines recommend that Parties consider implementing plain packaging.

The introduction of plain packaging is a cost-effective measure that involves legislation prohibiting any reference to the advertising nature of the brand, such as logos, colours, visuals or any promotional statements on tobacco product packets. Only brand and product names are permitted, displayed in a uniform colour and style. Plain packaging aims to prevent the industry from using the packaging of the packet as a promotional medium. It thus reduces the appeal of tobacco products, increases the effectiveness of health warnings, and in doing so helps to limit initiation and ultimately reduce smoking.

Plain packaging is currently under formal review in at least 14 other countries: Armenia, Botswana, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Czechia, Fiji, Hong Kong, Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Russia and South Africa.[1].

A provision that must be accompanied by an arsenal of other measures in Laos

WHO recommends that plain packaging be used as part of a comprehensive approach to tobacco control, including a total ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, other measures related to tobacco packaging and labelling, and supply and demand reduction measures, such as tobacco taxes. The effectiveness of these measures depends on their real effectiveness.[2].

Referring to the package, Dr Timothye Armstrong, WHO Representative in the Democratic Republic of Laos, said it "This is a commendable step towards protecting public health from tobacco, but there is still work to be done."  Every year, more than 6,700 people in Lao PDR, or more than 17 people per day, lose their lives due to tobacco use. WHO believes that the most effective action is to increase tobacco taxes and make tobacco products less affordable. Currently, Laos has the lowest tobacco tax rate in the ASEAN region. Laos spends LAK3.6 billion (US$162.35 million), equivalent to 2.3 billion of its gross domestic product, each year to treat tobacco-related diseases. 32 billion adults aged 15 and above use tobacco products.

Since the introduction of health warnings on cigarette packages in Lao PDR in 2016, tobacco manufacturers have failed to comply with this measure, reducing the effectiveness of the warning messages. The plain packaging legislation empowers the Ministry of Health to periodically update health warnings to ensure their effectiveness and relevance, and to more strongly enforce their use.

Graphic health warnings are particularly useful in low- and middle-income countries, where illiteracy rates are higher and governments have few resources.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1] Press release, Tobacco plain packaging progress continues worldwide with 42 countries and moving forward with regulations, PR Newswire, published February 6, 2024, accessed October 7, 2024

[2] Press release, WHO congratulates Lao PDR on introduction of plain packaging on cigarettes, WHO, published October 2, 2024, accessed October 7, 2024