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Cigarette packaging: Ministers launch fresh review Cigarette packaging: Ministers launch fresh review
(35 minutes later)
The government is to announce an independent review of cigarette packaging in England, amid calls for action to discourage young smokers. The government has announced 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 Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said it was now time to "examine the emerging evidence" on a policy shift.
Labour said immediate action was needed, "not another review". But Labour said immediate action was needed, "not another review".
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. In a Commons statement, Ms Ellison said standardised tobacco packaging would be brought in after the review if "we are satisfied that there are sufficient grounds to proceed, including public health benefit".
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. The review, led by paediatrician Sir Cyril Chantler, is set to focus on a pilot scheme in Australia, which became the first country to legislate for standardised packaging in 2011.
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. For Labour, shadow public health minister Luciana Berger demanded to know why the government was delaying the introduction of plain packaging "still further" having already held a consultation on the issue in 2012.
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. She said ministers were effectively performing a U-turn on July, which was itself, she said, a U-turn on bringing in new rules.
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham described the review as "delaying tactics". The government has never officially ruled out changes to cigarette packaging laws, but BBC political editor Nick Robinson said that private briefings from Downing Street had previously suggested the idea was "dead".
"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. He 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.
"I don't believe this is a serious move. It's just a tactic to avoid humiliation in the House of Lords." The government was likely to be defeated if it opposed the changes to the Children and Families Bill, he added.
But Public Health Minister Jane Ellison insisted the "time was right" to conduct a review. Ms Ellison confirmed that the government would table its own amendment to the legislation, giving ministers the power to introduce regulations when Sir Cyril's review is complete in March 2014 - if they decide to proceed with the policy.
The options which would then be considered include packs having a uniform colour (dark olive green has been suggested previously) or using graphic images of smoking-related diseases on all packs.
'Rise in counterfeiting''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. Ms Ellison rejected Labour suggestions the rethink had been prompted by fears of defeat in the Lords, saying: "It's a year this weekend since the legislation was introduced in Australia. 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 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.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."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. But the government faced criticism from the UK Independence Party.
The Times said a study conducted in Australia found that smokers using standardised plain brown packets were 81% more likely to consider quitting. Prime Minister David Cameron was "scandalously auctioning off the freedom and liberty of the British people for his own political ends, cheered on by the Labour Party", the party's deputy leader Paul Nuttall said.
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". The Times newspaper says a study conducted in Australia found that smokers using standardised plain brown packets were 81% more likely to consider quitting.
Cancer Research UK said the move would "save thousands of lives". Labour has sought to link Conservative election chief Lynton Crosby's work as a consultant for the tobacco industry to delays in the policy, a claim which was rejected by David Cameron at the time the issue was put on hold in July.
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."
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.
Cancer Research UK said the move would "save thousands of lives": "Stopping cigarettes being marketed to children as a glamorous and desirable accessory is one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation."
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.