UK: Royal College Doctors Push for Tobacco Plain Packaging Law

Source from:  London24 05/08/2013

Senior doctors have urged the government introduce plain packaging rules for tobacco products to "remove misconceptions that some brands are 'safer' than others".

Next week the government outlines its legislative agenda for the next Parliamentary session in the Queen's Speech and health ministers had been considering introducing the legislation, which would standardise tobacco packaging.

Writing in a letter sent to the Independent newspaper, the president of the Royal College of Physicians and the president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have called on ministers to act.

Sir Richard Thompson and Dr Hilary Cass write that the move - which would see all tobacco products sold in the same drab packets covered with graphic health warnings - "is likely to reduce smoking uptake amongst children and young people"

"Evidence shows that plain packaging is less attractive to young people. Health warnings are prominent and effective and remove any misconception that some brands are 'safer' than others, " they write.

The letter is also signed by the president of Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Last year Australia became the first country in the world to legislate for plain packaging after a length legal battle between the government and the tobacco industry.

Some argue the UK government should delay the introduction of similar plans here until it can be observed whether the policy has had any impact on the number of people taking up smoking.

But anti-tobacco charity The Deborah Hutton Campaign believes the move would deprive big tobacco of one of its last advertising tools, which disproportionately affect young people.

In an article for London24 on No Smoking Day in March, the charity's founder Charlie Stebbings said: "The fag packet is the last refuge for the industry to catch your eye.

"Killers usually lurk in the shadows, and this one deserves the same fate. Plain packaging: it's a no brainer."

Last week young people from across the capital gathered at the British American Tobacco annual general meeting in central London to protest against the industry.

One girl who was at the demostration, 14-year-old Roisin Healy, said: "I hope everyone who heard us got the message and that the BAT shareholders realised we are going to do our best to make sure cigarette packaging gets standardised!" Enditem