Canada’s smokers will soon see their cigarette packs stripped of logos and distinctive designs as federal rules make drab brown the default colour for tobacco brands late next week.

Plain-packaged cigarettes have begun popping up on shelves as the tobacco industry prepares for Health Canada’s regulations to begin taking effect on November 9.

Following that date, stores will have a grace period to clear their shelves of products with pre-existing packaging.

The Alliance for the Control of Tobacco says any measure to reduce the promotional avenues for Big Tobacco is a good thing, especially as it relates to young people.

Executive director Kevin Coady says the objective is to curb the appeal of cigarette brands to young people.

He says young people will not get into the trap which older people got into, falling for attractive packaging with wording such as “mild” and “slim.”