BMA: We are pleased with legislation but disappointed with delay

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, director of professional activities at the British Medical Association (BMA), commented on government proposals to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products:

“Smoking is one of the biggest causes of premature death and it is essential that action is taken to help people quit and discourage young people from starting to smoke in the first place. Therefore we are very pleased to hear that the government will push ahead with measures to curb the promotion of tobacco.

“The BMA has been calling on the government for some time to implement the tobacco aspects of the 2009 Health Act that would end tobacco displays in large supermarkets from September 2011 and in smaller shops a year later. Research shows that this move will play a key role in discouraging children from smoking and will also help smokers quit. We also look forward to participating in the consultation on plain packaging for cigarettes.

“While we are pleased that the health secretary has finally decided to implement this legislation we are disappointed that he has said he will delay introducing the display ban until April 2012 for large shops and April 2015 for smaller ones.”