Standardized tobacco packaging designs may be beneficial in decreasing prevalence of tobacco use and increasing smoking cessation attempts. Furthermore, these designs may result in increased concealment behaviors.

Low‐certainty evidence from one large observational study supports the standardization of tobacco packaging to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use (from 19% to 18.5% one year after implementation). Further, use of standardized tobacco packaging was associated with increased numbers of people attempting to quit smoking; this was reported as an increase of 20% to 27% in one observational study, and as an increase in the number of calls to a smoking cessation helpline by 78% in another. Limited evidence from eight observational studies reported increased avoidance behaviors, such as concealing standardized cigarette packs or using a different container for cigarettes, avoiding looking at or thinking about the labels, and concealing standardized packs while in public. For change in tobacco consumption and perception of harm, studies reported mixed results, precluding a firm conclusion. Reviewers found no evidence assessing uptake, cessation, or relapse prevention. Only one country had implemented standardized packaging at the time of this review.