- March 15,2023
MPs back standardised cigarette packaging
MPs have voted in favour of introducing standardised packaging for cigarettes in the UK.
It means from 2016 every packet will look the same except for the make and brand name, with graphic photos accompanying health warnings if the House of Lords also approves the move.
The Irish Republic passed a similar law earlier this month and Australia has had plain packaging since 2012.
Health campaigners said they were "delighted" with the move.
Some 367 MPs voted in favour of standardised packaging with 113 against it in a free vote.
Long battle
It comes after a long battle to get to this point. The government announced in 2011 it would be considering standardised packaging and ran a consultation in 2012.
But ministers then appeared to go cool on the plan, prompting accusations it had been influenced by the tobacco industry, before another review of the public health benefits was ordered.
That review was carried out by by paediatrician Sir Cyril Chantler and concluded last year it was very likely the change would lead to a modest but important reduction in the uptake and prevalence of smoking.
More than 600 children aged 11 to 15 start to smoke every day - more than 200,000 a year. The review said if that number could be cut even by 2%, 4,000 fewer would take up the habit.
