Tobacco.org

• Graphic photo on cigarette packs has zero effect on smokers, says CAPMAS study  

The notorious picture of a hospital patient that was recently placed on all cigarette packs has not affected the number of smokers, nor cigarette sales in Egypt, a study by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) revealed.

A picture of a patient with a breathing mask on his face — implying a lung disease — was placed on cigarette packs as specified by the new tobacco law that was approved by the People’s Assembly (PA) last June. The law stipulates that a detailed health warning should cover 50 percent of the pack on both sides.

The study by CAPMAS also found that more than 5 percent of an Egyptian family’s income is spent on cigarettes versus 2 percent of the income which is spent on health. In addition, the study also stated that developing nations spend $2,000 billion annually on cigarettes and citizens below the age of 35 represent 67 percent of total smokers in the country.

According to a report released by the health committee at the People’s Assembly, Egyptians smoke 19 billion cigarettes a year, spending LE 3 billion annually, and smokers in Egypt increases by 6 to 9 percent every year as compared to 1 percent in the West.

Jump to full article »