Cigarette packaging is the most prominent form of tobacco promotion in Canada. Tobacco companies are increasingly selling cigarettes in innovative packaging, including the use of slim and super-slim “lipstick” sizes that are primarily marketed towards females. Australia is currently the only country that regulates the shape and size of cigarette packaging. The current study examined the relative importance of five cigarette packaging attributes—pack shape (e.g., “slims”) , brand, plain packaging, warning label size, and price—on perceptions of product taste, harm, and interest in trying, among young women in Canada. A discrete choice experiment was conducted online with smoking (n=211) and non-smoking (n=292) females, aged 16 to 24, recruited from a commercial sample. Respondents were shown 8 choice sets, each containing four packs displaying different combinations of the attributes: pack structure (slim, lipstick, booklet, standard); brand ( ‘Vogue’, ‘du Maurier’); branding (branded, plain); warning label size (50%, 75%); and price ($8.45, $10.45). For each choice set, respondents chose the brand that they: 1) would rather try, 2) would taste better, 3) would be less harmful, or “none”. For each outcome, the attributes’ impact on choices was analyzed using a multinomial logit model, and the relative importance (RI) of each attribute was calculated. The results showed that pack structure significantly influenced interest in trying (RI = 16%) and perceptions of taste (RI = 8%), whereas perceptions of harm were driven by pack structure (RI = 46%). Branding was the most important contributor to trial intent decisions (RI = 39%) and perceptions of taste (RI = 48%). Interest in trying among females significantly increased for booklet (p < 0.0001) packs compared to the traditional design. As well, females were significantly more interested in trying branded packs, female oriented ‘Vogue’ brand, and a 75% warning label size (p < 0.0001, for all). In terms of taste related perceptions, females believed that slim (p=0.02) and booklet packs (p=0.006) were significantly better tasting than traditional designs. Similarly, branded packs (p < 0.0001), ‘Vogue’ brand (p < 0.0001), 75% warning (p < 0.0001), and higher priced packs (p=0.04) significantly increased perceptions of taste among females. Among young females, booklet (p=0.03), lipstick (p < 0.0001) and slim (p < 0.0001) pack sizes were perceived as significantly less harmful compared to traditional designs. As well, women believed branded packs, ‘Vogue’ brand, and more expensive brands would be significantly less harmful (p < 0.0001, for all). Given that the discrete choice design did not include all pack profiles that could be generated with attribute-level combinations of branding, brand, and warning labels, and in particular, due to the absence of “branded Vogue packs with smaller warnings”, the findings on warning label size should be interpreted with caution. Overall, the findings suggest that “plain” packaging and prohibiting variations in pack shape and size may decrease interest in trying and reduce false perceptions of reduced product harm among young females.

Plain packaging can arguably reduce the appeal of cigarette packages and deter people from smoking. In this study, a 1 (brand type) X 4 (levels of plain packages) betweensubject design was utilized. The method used was an internet survey. 220 adult smokers and non-smokers from Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) rated packages in terms of their brand imagery characteristics and answered a single multiple choice question to test their recall of the health warning on their package. According to the results of a MANOVA test and a bivariate logistic regression test of perception attributes, the association between plainer packages and the participants’ ratings for some attributes were significant, and ranged from slightly moderate to moderate strength levels of associations. Health warnings recall and plainer packages were also significantly and moderately associated. These associations provide a compelling argument for the need for plain packaging policies as a deterrent for smoking.

Fresh produce is often touted for its many health benefits; however, various items have been linked to foodborne disease outbreaks. This is especially a concern for immune suppressed individuals who are classified as severely neutropenic (white blood cell count under 500 neutrophils/μL of blood). At this degree of suppression, many are urged to follow a restrictive diet that reduces the potential of exposure to microbial populations. Currently no processing technique is used to sanitize microorganisms from fresh produce. Electron beam (e-beam) irradiation is a non-thermal process that has been approved by the FDA to treat fresh foods and is able to eliminate bacteria. Another technology used to extend shelf life is modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of e-beam irradiation at current FDA-approved doses (< 1 kGy) to determine whether bioburden on fresh fruits can be reduced while maintaining sensory quality. Aerobic plate count methods were employed to determine the bioburden of treatments over a 21 day storage period under both ambient and MAP conditions. A previously identified bacterial plate count benchmark of < 500 CFU/ gram will be used to determine the applicability of the e-beam treatment. A consumer study using a 9 point hedonic scale as well as instrumentation measuring color, texture, moisture content, total soluble solids and titratable acidity were used to compare the treated fruit to the control. E-beam consistently reduced the bioburden on strawberries, fresh-cut watermelon and significantly (p<0.05) for avocado samples. Avocado, grapes and watermelon showed potential to be labeled as clean foods (below 500 CFU/gram). Fruit firmness (as measured by deformation) was not negatively affected by e-beam treatment and was preserved over storage with MAP treatment. Color was not adversely affected by e-beam or MAP, except for avocados that were significantly more grey in the presence of O_(2). Most importantly, consumers rated e-beam and MAP treated samples as acceptable (score above 5) in qualities of color, odor, flavor and firmness. E-beam proved to be an effective tool in reducing bioburden at low doses while maintaining fruit quality.

In the packaging industry, cushioning products are usually made of plastic materials, such as polystyrene. The insulation and lightweight character make it more popular and convenient to use. However, the extensive use of it creates more waste leading to an environmental problem. Usually the cushioning foams are discarded after being used for inbox protection as packaging material; eventually they end up in a landfill. Most plastic foams are not biodegradable, which cannot be composted and will create more and more waste that affects the ecological system. In the mean time, foams made up of bio-degradable materials are considered. In general, biodegradable plastics are starch-based or cellulose-based, and the biodegradable components can be found in corn (e.g. corn starch, and corn cob). Instead of extracting the corn component, here popped corn kernel will be investigated for its suitability in packaging applications.

The objective of the study was to show that quality of packaging impacts on company profitability and reputation. The study looked at the company's current market position (especially the quality aspect) and where it wanted to be, and looked at other player's products quality. The study also looked at costs, especially the relationship of costs to profits. In production, the study compared machine and material performances statistics of local and imported materials. The study critically looked at internal records, especially correspondence between the company's purchasing department and suppliers of packaging and between the company's marketing department and customers. Vital information on all varieties of materials was technically appraised using internationally acknowledged standards measures from Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ). Field studies (observation method) were carried out in wholesale and retail outlets to compare and confirm the differences and variances in performance of local and imported material. The observation also looked at consumer activity at point of sale (POS). After establishing the facts, the study came up with practicable recommendations that would allow the company to overcome quality related problems; this having been the primary objective of the study. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

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