Warrnambool tobacco traders have refuted data indicating smoking rates have dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, with one claiming young people are still taking up the habit.
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Grant Reynolds from Warrnambool's Tobacco Station and Gifts said smoking remained popular through the extraordinary start to 2020.
"In the first week of the coronavirus our sales went through the roof, it was like the toilet paper, people wanted to stock up," Mr Reynolds said.
"It then quietened off but in the last couple of weeks it has picked up and is back to normal.
"We get a lot of younger smokers who once they turn 18 are coming in here with their licence and buying smokes."
Tobacconist, Gifts and Accessories in Lava Street has also reported business as usual with no drop in trade, while Nathan Vail from D&R Vape in Timor Street said demand for his products had "gone crazy".
Despite this, positive messages are coming from those wishing to reduce smoking rates.
Federal government data shows a 310 per cent download increase of the My Quitbuddy app in the first five months of this year, compared to the same period in 2019.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the figures were encouraging, particularly during the current pandemic.
Mr Hunt pointed out smokers were more likely to develop a severe case of COVID-19 if they contracted the virus.
Mr Reynolds also had a different take on the effects of plain packaging of cigarettes.
Last week, the World Trade Organisation upheld a ruling that plain packaging for cigarettes does not infringe international trade or intellectual property laws.
In 2012, Australia led the way on the introduction of plain packaging, with more than 15 countries having since followed that lead.
In the first three years of plain packaging, there were an estimated 108,228 fewer smokers in Australia than there would have been without the measure being brought in.
"Plain packaging hasn't stopped people smoking," Mr Reynolds said.
"People who like a smoke and a drink will always find money for alcohol and cigarettes, which means other things miss out.
"All the packaging changes and the extra taxes has done is cost people money.
"I think two in 1000 people might ask for another photo on their cigarette pack, it really has no impact.
"A lot of people, especially ladies, buy a good cigarette case from us and put their smokes in that and throw the packet away.
"We haven't lost any regular customers and we are getting a lot of new ones."
