ASH: Plain packs essential to protect young people

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), commented on government proposals to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products:

“Although disappointed at the delay we’re delighted that the government has refused to cave in to tobacco industry lobbying for the repeal of the tobacco display legislation. At its heart, the new tobacco plan builds on the strategy put in place by the previous government. This plan is proof that there is now a strong cross-party political consensus that tough action to tackle smoking is the primary public health priority and a strong signal to council health and wellbeing boards that tackling smoking needs to be top of their agenda.

“We are delighted that this government is putting us on track to be the first European country tobacco to put tobacco in plain packs. This is an essential next step in protecting young people from the insidious marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. Our research shows that this measure will have widespread public support.”