Two major UK research charities today call on the government to keep a pledge to standardise tobacco packaging "as a matter of urgency" to dissuade children from taking up smoking.
Two years to the day after Australia introduced the standardised, plain, packaging, The British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK are pressing ministers to take urgent action before the general election.
In April, Public Health Minister Jane Ellison announced the UK would follow Australia’s lead and become the first country in Europe to adopt standardised packaging.
However, nothing has been done since and the charities are concerned that time is running out to approve the plans before May’s election.
Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: “Smoking kills. It’s a deadly and addictive habit which dramatically increases your risk of a heart attack and stroke.
“Protecting children from taking up smoking by stripping cigarettes of their glitzy packaging is vital to safeguard them from these debilitating cardiovascular conditions.
“But the UK has been dragging its feet for two years too long, all the while hundreds more children have become hooked.
“Time is fast running out. The Government must take swift action before the next election to end the tobacco industry’s toxic influence on our young people.”
The pioneering move has led to a 15% reduction in smoking rates in Australia since standardised packaging was introduced and latest figures show that almost 50% of adults in the country support the move.
Sarah Woolnough, Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy and information, said: “This is an anniversary worth celebrating. Australia took the lead on this issue and two years later they’re reaping the rewards.
“Smoking rates have fallen, more people than ever support standard packs and scare stories about flooding the market with cheap, illegal tobacco have failed to materialise. It’s been a resounding success in Australia and we’re confident the same can happen here.”
She said that research has demonstrated that removing the colourful designs of tobacco packs reduces the appeal of smoking to children and called on the government to “dedicate its efforts” to make standardised packs a reality in this Parliament.
“More than 100,000 people die every year from smoking-related diseases, making it the number one cause of preventable deaths in the UK. These news packs will give millions of children one less reason to start smoking,” she added.
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