Tobacco Free Futures welcomes draft regulations for consultation on standardised tobacco packaging

Tobacco Free Futures welcomes draft regulations for consultation on standardised tobacco packaging

Andrea Crossfield, Chief Executive of Tobacco Free Futures, which led the campaign for standardised packaging in the North West said: “Tobacco Free Futures congratulates the Minister on publishing the draft regulations on standardised tobacco packaging for consultation.

“There is already strong public support in the North West for standard packaging with more than 60% calling for this measure to be introduced. In August 2012 the government consultation saw more than 60,000 North West concerned residents agree that tobacco packaging should be made as unattractive as possible to discourage children from taking up smoking.

“It’s unfortunate that the draft regulations were not published at the end of April as expected. Tobacco Free Futures was concerned that any further delays would mean they might not be placed before parliament and voted on before the next General Election, but we are pleased that the right steps are now being taken. Given the timetable is so tight we would urge the Minister to ensure that the regulations are consulted on, revised and passed in advance, and that crucially there are no further delays.

“Since the consultation started in 2012 we estimate that more than 400,000 children have started to smoke in the UK. And we know that around 18,000 children from the North West start to smoke each year. We urge the Minister to act now before any more children are unnecessarily sucked into a lifetime of addiction, death and disease.“

For more information please view the attached media briefing which provides the case for the introduction of standardised packaging. This includes details on public opinion, political support and rebuttals to the tobacco industry arguments on standardised packs.

The consultation is now live on the DH website http://consultations.dh.gov.uk/tobacco/standardised-packaging-of-tobacco-products-1/consult_view

Sir Cyril Chantler’s review of standardised packaging released Thursday 3rd of April can be found here.

If you would like to set up an interview with Andrea Crossfield please contact Amy Rowe in the media team on 0161 238 6380 or email amy.rowe@tobaccofreefutures.org