Published results from any source with a vested interest must always be viewed with some scepticism.  This applies whether it's this Quit body or indeed the dreaded tobacco industry !  You must know that and acknowledge that , or do you still believe in Santa Claus as well ?
I also hope for your sake that you don't believe all media intent (such as The Age )is honourable , and also that of self serving politicians .   If we don't need statistics , why do you keep quoting them ? What you  need are facts which to date are thin on the ground . There is a vast difference .  I an 64 years of age , and yes, to deny that there has been a reduction in Oz smoking , would be demonstrably wrong .As  I do not have my head in the sand , logic indicates that a whole raft of initiatives other than packaging have probably done this .These include the plethora of horriffic taxpayer funded ads on TV we are assaulted with ad nauseum , mental bludgeoning of smokers by legal segregation & banning  everywhere .    I see Muso also agrees with this . This is designed cleverly to make them feel like second class citizens , along with many other cunning ploys .The desired end result of this is of course to rally all non smokers against their social enemy and wipe them out .Not happening . This sort of social conditioning has been used thru history by people with particular axes to grind . I 'll leave it to you to figure out .     My observation as I move around this great country is that there are still large numbers of smokers obediently going to their alloted areas to indulge and their numbers or percentage is GREATLY underplayed by those with this barrow to push . Surely not even you would purport to know what they get up to in their own homes . Oh , what the hell , make up some "statistics "  Let's not forget here the argument is NOT whether smoking is good or bad .  It should be about EFFECTIVE and efficient means of reducing it if that is your intent .  Again I cite education as , in my opinion , the most effective way of acheiving your end .   I take it that from your non response to that , but only to your current obsessive tack , you dissagree .  Surely it is the way to go instead of a humungous financial impost on ALL Australians based on nothing .Don't forget the politicians would be spending billions of your money on this hi roller gamble at the longest odds imaginable .

One of the many things I've learnt in my long life is NEVER to assume anything , particularly in exchanges where there is a difference of opinion . Usually when a verbal protagonist does not prefer to include something in the mix , it means it does not fit their particular stance . That's human nature . Conversely , the human psyche allows us to rabbit on with glee on aspects which we feel will aid our cause .  Speaking of that , I think it is accepted that there is no safe level of smoking for Christ's sake !! Anyway , it's a form of education , so maybe refine your presentation , and it may work for you .Once you reach saturation point , your audience turns off & your message is lost . Do you have to include that quote in almost every post ?   It's rather sad that you found reference to divisive social conditioning techniques "amusing" . They have been used throughout history , very effectively , with results from bad to catostrophic .  That the topic here is tobacco use is inconsequential .  The laws already in place prevent smoke interfering with non smokers!   How the hell will green packs remove something that is not there ?  If you seriously wish to reduce the incidence of smoking put your effort into advocacy for BETTER & MORE EFFECTIVE EDUCATION .  Head butting always indicates strong resolve & ALWAYS produces casualties .     Let's not forget , either , (close your ears kiddies ) , it's also everyone's right to smoke , within the bounds of the law , if they choose. And those laws have become more restrictive many times .     Let's assume the leper packaging push was successful , what would the next one be for ? (and there would be a next one with the " More Might be better " mentality )  .  A black exploding paint ball (with random placebo) could be the go . you know , to mark all the sinners so all the "decent" Aussies will know who they are .   Chop chop sales should go up .