UK: YouGov Pollster Criticises

Source from:  London 24 (uk)  04/26/2013

A prominent pollster has suggested the only argument made by opponents of plain packaging for tobacco products is that that the "industry doesn't like it".

Peter Kellner, president of the opinion polling organisation YouGov, dismissed the "highly imaginative" arguments made by big tobacco as he outlined the case for a change in the law.

Many politicians, including the public health minister Anna Soubry, back plain packaging, which would see cigarettes sold in drab olive green cases covered in health warnings, with their brand name in a uniform style on the front.

But the large tobacco companies, and some civil liberties groups, oppose the legislation.

Writing in a YouGov blog, Peter Kellner said: "Now the case for the antis: The tobacco industry doesn't like it.

"And that's about it. As in the past, the industry has been highly imaginative in trying to link their opposition to arguments about civil liberties, intellectual property rights, tobacco smuggling, free trade and unemployment.

"The bottom line is that, as for the past half century, they have been fighting a rearguard action to defend their right to kill their customers."

The pollster and journalist also cited research published earlier this month, which indicates broad public support for the legislation.

He said polling had shown "61% support the plan while just 14% oppose it. 21% said they neither supported nor opposed it; 5% said 'don't know'".

He added the move would "an ideal measure for austere times, when ministers look for ways to make life better without spending money".

On the BBC's Today programme last week, public health minister Anna Soubry revealed she was in favour of changing the law, which so far has only been introduced in Australia, where it became law on December 1 last year.

Anti-tobacco charity The Deborah Hutton Campaign is currently asking members of the public to vote on a youth film competition they run, which gets under-25s - the demographic research shows are most susceptible to tobacco advertising - to create an anti-smoking "advert".

Follow the link below to watch the entries from young people across the capital. The video above is part of the charity's own campaign to change the law around tobacco products packaging. Enditem