Government gives go-ahead to plain cigarette packaging

After initially shelving plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging in the UK, the Government says it will now introduce plain packs.

Packaging launched in Australia in 2012 featuring graphic images
Packaging launched in Australia in 2012 featuring graphic images

After dropping plans last year, the Government commissioned research into the effect of plain packaging.

Public health minister Jane Ellison told the House of Commons today that the Chantler Review ‘makes a compelling case that if standardised packaging were introduced, it would be very likely to have a positive impact on public health’.

Ellison says, ‘I am therefore currently minded to proceed with introducing regulations to provide for standardised packaging.’

The minister says she will publish draft legislation alongside a final ‘short’ consultatation, before moving to introduce plain packaging.

Earlier reports suggested plain packaging could be introduced by 2015, and Ellison says she wants to move forward ‘as swiftly as possible’.

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