The UK government have today announced new legislation which will ensure all tobacco products are sold in plain, standardised packaging, following the example set by Australia in 2012. Other countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Norway are also seriously considering implementing the same ruling.
But why has this new law come into place, and what impact will it have?
In March 2015, MP’s voted overwhelmingly to support plain packaging on tobacco products. This follows legislation in 2015 which saw a ban on all tobacco point of sale displays in shops. Plain labels must now cover at least 65% of tobacco packaging. As well as health warnings, packets must also be a standard size and colour.
The new rules are an attempt to significantly reduce the number of smokers in the United Kingdom. The Department of Health have stated that “smoking is the biggest cause of premature mortality and kills over 100,000 people every year in the UK”. Two-thirds of smokers are under the age of 18, so it is vital that all possible actions are taken to protect the health of future generations.
The tobacco industry claimed that plain packaging would increase the trade of illicit tobacco, but an independent review found no evidence to support this. It is intended that standardised packets would make tobacco products less attractive to children, as will the ban on menthol cigarettes and other tobacco flavourings. It will also dispel the notion that one type of cigarette is less harmful than the other; increasing the impact health warnings have.
To compliment that law, e-cigarette manufacturers must now limit nicotine levels to 20 grams in their products, as well as restrict their advertising and sponsorship.
The new law comes into effect from 20 May 2016, but existing tobacco products will be replaced with the new plain packaging when stocks diminish.