January 21, 2015

expert reaction to news on plain packaging of cigarettes

The government is set to bring forward a vote on legislation to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes sold in the UK, to before the general election in May.

Sir Cyril Chantler, UCL Partners and Chair of independent review into standardised packaging for tobacco, said:

“I am delighted that the government intends to legislate to introduce standardised packaging. As I concluded in my report “I am satisfied there is sufficient evidence derived from independent sources that the introduction of standardised packaging as part of a comprehensive policy of tobacco control measures would be very likely over time to contribute to a modest but important reduction in smoking prevalence especially in children and young adults. Given the dangers of smoking, the suffering that it causes, the highly addictive nature of nicotine, the fact that most smokers become addicted when they are children or young adults and the overall cost to society, the importance of such a reduction should not be underestimated.”  In the 9 months since this was written more information has become available from Australia that strongly supports this conclusion.”

Professor Robert West, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London said:

“Better late than never. Even on a conservative estimate that this only prevents 1 in 20 young people from starting and has no effect at all on existing smokers it would save an estimated 2,000 lives each year down the track. ”

Declared interests

Prof Robert West: I have not and will not accept any kind of funds, payments or hospitality from companies that make e-cigarettes because of the risk of being perceived as tainted on that count. I undertake research and consultancy for companies that manufacture smoking cessation medications and licensed nicotine replacement products. My salary is funded by Cancer Research UK