Plain Packaging Plan Unraveling in United Kingdom

The Department of Health says it will study the impact of plain packaging for cigarettes in Australia before moving ahead with its own regulations.

July 16, 2013

LONDON – Ministers in England have announced that they are postponing plans to introduce legislation requiring plain packaging for cigarettes in the United Kingdom, The Guardian reports. 

The Department of Health sent a written statement to MPs, saying it needs additional time to study the impact of a similar law in Australia before moving forward with a similar measure.

Cancer Research UK called the decision “bitterly disappointing,” though Mark Field, a conservative MP, said he welcomed the government’s “sensible and pragmatic” decision.

According to Field, the plain packaging plan would cost the government “significant sums of money” while requiring compensation to be paid to cigarette manufacturers for the loss of intellectual property rights. He also challenged the evidence that said plain packaging would lead to fewer young people smoking.

The decision to postpone the decision means the law likely would not be introduced before the 2015 election, Field said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health said it was prudent not to rush a decision on plain packaging. "This is an important decision and we make no apology for taking time to get it right,” a spokesperson said.

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