Plain tobacco packs design

The government’s draft regulations on plain packs for tobacco products include this image of how they might look

Industry views are being sought on draft regulation to introduce the plain packaging of tobacco products.

The Department of Health today published regulations (PDF) that would enable the introduction of plain packs under The Children and Families Act 2014 – however, the government said it had still not made a final decision on whether to introduce the measure. If a final decision is made to bring in plain packs, the government would look to implement it by May 2016.

“We are minded to introduce regulations to provide for standardised packaging of tobacco products in line with Cyril Chantler’s recommendations,” said public health minister Jane Ellison.

“It is vital that any decision is properly and fully informed. The consultation includes a set of draft regulations so it is clear how such a policy would work in practice. I urge anybody with any new evidence relating to the wider implications of introducing standardised packaging, to contribute so their voice can be heard.

“All aspects of the policy will be considered before a final decision is made.”

The consultation on the regulations runs until 7 August and is seeking responses from any interested parties, as well as any new evidence on plain packaging that has emerged since the government’s last consultation on the topic concluded in 2012.

In April, the Chantler Review into standardised packaging concluded it would lead to a “modest but important reduction over time on the uptake and prevalence of smoking”, although it conceded that evidence on the issue – including the example of Australia, where it was introduced in December 2012 – was slim.

Retailer impact

The Association of Convenience Stores urged the government to consider the impact of such a move on retailers. “Ministers have consistently failed to accept the evidence about how disruptive and burdensome recent tobacco control measures have been for the tens of thousands of retailers that have to actually implement them,” said ACS chief executive James Lowman.

The ACS said plain tobacco packs would increase the time it takes retailers to serve customers; make it harder for retailers to accurately control their stock and place orders; lead to customers opting for cheaper products; and boost the illegal trade.

NFRN national president Martyn Brown added: “Instead of bringing in plain packaging, the NFRN believes that the government should look at the example set by Germany, which has introduced a successful educational programme in schools to prevent children from smoking.”

Daniel Torras, UK managing director of JTI, said: “Plain packaging has not had a positive public health impact in Australia and the UK will be no different. JTI is calling for a thorough independent review into the wide-ranging potential negative impacts of plain packaging that were not considered by the Chantler review – including competition, trademarks and freedom of choice.”