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Cigarette packaging: Ministers launch fresh review Cigarette packaging: Ministers launch fresh review
(about 2 hours later)
The government is to announce an independent review of cigarette packaging in England, amid calls for action to discourage young smokers.The government is to announce an independent review of cigarette packaging in England, amid calls for action to discourage young smokers.
David Cameron appeared to distance himself from uniform packaging in July, saying further evidence was needed to show whether it would be effective.David Cameron appeared to distance himself from uniform packaging in July, saying further evidence was needed to show whether it would be effective.
But No 10 sources said the issue would be looked at again and the government was "open-minded" about what to do.But No 10 sources said the issue would be looked at again and the government was "open-minded" about what to do.
Labour said immediate action was needed, "not another review".Labour said immediate action was needed, "not another review".
The government has never officially ruled this out, saying previously that it wanted to see the results of a pilot scheme in Australia - the first country to introduce it - before deciding whether to follow suit. Shadow public health minister Luciana Berger will ask an urgent question in the Commons on the subject at about 10:30 GMT.
The Department of Health told the BBC that the government would not decide on the look of the standardised packaging until evidence from the pilot scheme had been considered. The government has never officially ruled out changes to the cigarette packaging, saying in July that it wanted to see the results of a pilot scheme in Australia - the first country to introduce standardised packaging - before deciding whether to follow suit.
A spokeswoman said all options would be considered, including packaging in a uniform colour, with a small tax mark, or using graphic images of smoking-related diseases on all boxes of cigarettes. A spokeswoman said all options would be considered, including packaging in a uniform colour (dark olive green is a previously suggested colour) or using graphic images of smoking-related diseases on all boxes of cigarettes.
Most Conservative MPs supported standardised packaging at the time although a handful - including former GP Sarah Wollaston - accused the government of pandering to big business. BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the move to reopen the issue follows the tabling of amendments in the House of Lords which would have given ministers the power, but not the obligation, to impose regulations on plain packaging and enjoyed cross-party support.
Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham described the review as "delaying tactics". He said the government was likely to be defeated if it opposed the changes to the Children and Families Bill, and so decided to introduce similar amendments itself.
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham described the review as "delaying tactics".
"If the government was serious it would be taking action now to cut the harm from tobacco to children," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."If the government was serious it would be taking action now to cut the harm from tobacco to children," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"I don't believe this is a serious move. It's just a tactic to avoid humiliation in the House of Lords.""I don't believe this is a serious move. It's just a tactic to avoid humiliation in the House of Lords."
But Public Health Minister Jane Ellison insisted the "time was right" to conduct a review.But Public Health Minister Jane Ellison insisted the "time was right" to conduct a review.
'Rise in counterfeiting'
"It's a year this weekend since the legislation was introduced in Australia," she said. "It's the right time to ask people to look at this."It's a year this weekend since the legislation was introduced in Australia," she said. "It's the right time to ask people to look at this.
"This is fundamentally about children's health. Two thirds of people start smoking when they're children and it's one of the most important public health issues we face in this country."This is fundamentally about children's health. Two thirds of people start smoking when they're children and it's one of the most important public health issues we face in this country.
"Asking an independent body to take a look and survey the evidence for us is a sensible next step. We are going to take the opportunity to put regulations in place which will enable us to act quickly.""Asking an independent body to take a look and survey the evidence for us is a sensible next step. We are going to take the opportunity to put regulations in place which will enable us to act quickly."
The Times, which first reported the story, said the new review would report in March and could lead to uniform packages on English shelves before the 2015 election.The Times, which first reported the story, said the new review would report in March and could lead to uniform packages on English shelves before the 2015 election.
The BBC understands the review, led by paediatrician Sir Cyril Chantler, will focus on the experience in Australia.The BBC understands the review, led by paediatrician Sir Cyril Chantler, will focus on the experience in Australia.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the government had an "open mind" on the review, but "personally" he hoped it would show that plain packaging was effective.
"If the review... suggests that the emerging evidence argues in favour of plain packaging, it's a measure which we would then proceed with," he said, on his weekly LBC radio programme.
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said ministers would also approve enabling legislation to allow them to sanction plain packaging "very quickly" if the evidence stacked up.BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said ministers would also approve enabling legislation to allow them to sanction plain packaging "very quickly" if the evidence stacked up.
The Times said a study conducted in Australia found that smokers using standardised plain brown packets were 81% more likely to consider quitting.The Times said a study conducted in Australia found that smokers using standardised plain brown packets were 81% more likely to consider quitting.
'Marketing tool' Labour, which has sought to link Conservative election chief Lynton Crosby's work as a consultant for the tobacco industry to delays in the policy, said ministers needed to "stand up to vested interests".
Labour, who have sought to link Conservative election chief Lynton Crosby's work as a consultant for the tobacco industry to delays in the policy, said ministers needed to "stand up to vested interests".
"The evidence to support standardised packaging is clear," said shadow health minister Luciana Berger.
"The consensus is overwhelming. We don't need any further delay while 570 children are lighting up for the first time every day."
Cancer Research UK said the move would "save thousands of lives".Cancer Research UK said the move would "save thousands of lives".
Dr Harpal Kumar, the charity's chief executive, said: "Stopping cigarettes being marketed to children as a glamorous and desirable accessory is one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation.Dr Harpal Kumar, the charity's chief executive, said: "Stopping cigarettes being marketed to children as a glamorous and desirable accessory is one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation.
"If this becomes law next year, there is no question that it will save thousands of lives in the future.""If this becomes law next year, there is no question that it will save thousands of lives in the future."
'Rise in counterfeiting'
The Department of Health held a consultation in 2012 on plans which would have required manufacturers to use standardised packets and fonts, and put prominent graphic warnings on their products.The Department of Health held a consultation in 2012 on plans which would have required manufacturers to use standardised packets and fonts, and put prominent graphic warnings on their products.
Health campaigners say packaging is a "key tool" for the industry to get new customers but manufacturers say uniform packets will increase counterfeiting and the focus must be on reducing under-age smoking.Health campaigners say packaging is a "key tool" for the industry to get new customers but manufacturers say uniform packets will increase counterfeiting and the focus must be on reducing under-age smoking.
The ban on images on packaging came into force in Australia on 1 January after a long-running legal battle between the former Labor government and the tobacco industry.The ban on images on packaging came into force in Australia on 1 January after a long-running legal battle between the former Labor government and the tobacco industry.
Manufacturers claimed the law was unconstitutional and infringed on their intellectual property rights by banning the use of brands and trademarks.Manufacturers claimed the law was unconstitutional and infringed on their intellectual property rights by banning the use of brands and trademarks.
But they said they would comply after the legality of the measure was upheld by the country's highest court.But they said they would comply after the legality of the measure was upheld by the country's highest court.
The Scottish government has said it is "still committed" to introducing standardised packaging, while New Zealand is also considering the move.The Scottish government has said it is "still committed" to introducing standardised packaging, while New Zealand is also considering the move.