Tobacco companies revolt against plans to sell cigarettes in unbranded packs

Tobacco companies warned that they will challenge the plans through the courts.

16:13 04 April 2014

Big tobacco is huffing and puffing about government plans that will force them to sell cigarettes in plain, unbranded packs. The companies have sent warnings to ministers that should they go ahead with the plans the matter will be course through the courts. 

 

The plan was drawn up by Public Health Minister Jane Ellison after an independent report concluded that an unbranded pack is “highly likely” to discourage children from smoking. The report, which was written by paediatrician, Sir Cyril Chantler, said: plain packaging is “very likely to lead to a modest but important reduction” in both the uptake and prevalence of smoking. 

 

Meanwhile, tobacco companies argued that plain packaging doesn’t work. They say that Australia, the only country in the world that has used the same strategy, showed no positive results from the move. Legal tobacco sales increased in the 12 months following the introduction of the policy in December 2012. 

 

Marlboro’s Phillip Morris said: “Sir Cyril Chantler has chosen to disregard the evidence on plain packaging from Australia - the only country in the world to have implemented it.” 

 

“Plain packaging has failed to cut smoking rates, has not deterred youth smokers and has been accompanied by a dramatic growth of the black market.”