Imperial Tobacco slams plans for plain tobacco packs

In its response to the Department of Health’s consultation on the future of tobacco control, chief executive Gareth Davis, said: “Legislation must meet the principles of good regulation by being proportionate, supported by compelling evidence and fit for purpose. In our view measures outlined in the consultation document do not meet these criteria.

“This is particularly true of the proposal to prohibit the display of tobacco products and the suggestion that tobacco products should only be available in plain packaging as a means of reducing consumption.”

The company said there is no credible evidence that young people start smoking, or adult smokers continue to smoke, as a result of the display of tobacco products or tobacco packaging.

Banning the display of tobacco products and introducing plain packs would be hugely anti-competitive and would further fuel the illicit trade in tobacco, it said.

“We will continue to strongly support practical measures to reduce youth smoking but remain opposed to disproportionate regulation that erodes adult freedom of choice and the right of retailers to display and sell a legal product,” Davis added.

Popular Articles