A Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) study has proved conclusively that placing graphic health warnings (GHW) on cigarette packs has "zero affect" on smokers. The study revealed that tobacco sales were not affected at all by the imposition of a law last June requiring that 50% of each side of cigarette packaging should contain GHW.

The report also noted that Egyptians smoke 19 billion cigarettes a year and the number of smokers in Egypt increases by 6 to 9% annually, compared to 1% in the West.

"Smokers continue to smoke despite all the warnings you give them because of two things. According to Dr Wael Safwat, a gastroenterologist and smoking cessation specialist. "First, it is addictive and second there is the psychological aspect to it as people, especially in Egypt, perceive smoking as a relaxing activity and if they quit smoking then they'll have problems."

While tobacco sales remain unaffected, at least one industry does appear to have benefitted from the GHW law.

"The new tobacco law has not affected the sales of cigarettes of water pipe tobacco at all; it only caused a rise in the sales of metal cigarette boxes," according to Ibrahim El Embaby, head of the Tobacco Industry Division at the Industries Union, quoted in the local media last August.