Is the cigarette pack just a wrapper or a characteristic of the product itself?

This qualitative study of adult smokers in the US examines the connection between the design of cigarette packs and the characteristics of the cigarettes within. Six focus groups were conducted with a diverse range of participants. All groups were selected for regional, gender and racial/ethnic diversity. Participants views reflected a belief that pack design is clearly a reflection of the cigarettes within and the change in the pack signaled a change in the cigarettes. However some participants felt price was the salient characteristic of cigarettes and design mattered more for enticing young people to smoke. This study indicates that pack design and their changes are seen as particularly relevant to new and young smokers, and support the regulations that require pack design changes for impacts on public health. Read the full article