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Cigarette sales overhaul planned Cigarette sales overhaul planned
(about 2 hours later)
A major overhaul of the way cigarettes are packaged and sold - including banning branding and logos - is being proposed by the government.A major overhaul of the way cigarettes are packaged and sold - including banning branding and logos - is being proposed by the government.
The plan, aimed at preventing children and young people smoking, could also see packets of 10 outlawed, and cigarette vending machines banned.The plan, aimed at preventing children and young people smoking, could also see packets of 10 outlawed, and cigarette vending machines banned.
Most of the plan applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Similar plans have been unveiled in Scotland. The plan applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Similar plans have recently been unveiled in Scotland.
Meanwhile, a new TV advert campaign is targeting parents who smoke.Meanwhile, a new TV advert campaign is targeting parents who smoke.
The adverts warn that children of smokers are three times more likely to take up the habit than those of non-smokers.The adverts warn that children of smokers are three times more likely to take up the habit than those of non-smokers.
Parents warnedParents warned
The Department of Health says point-of-sale advertising can encourage young people to start smoking, so it is suggesting putting cigarettes below the counter in future.The Department of Health says point-of-sale advertising can encourage young people to start smoking, so it is suggesting putting cigarettes below the counter in future.
Protecting children from smoking is a government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this Dawn PrimaroloPublic Health MinisterProtecting children from smoking is a government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this Dawn PrimaroloPublic Health Minister
It also suggests the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes, carrying only the product name in standard lettering.It also suggests the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes, carrying only the product name in standard lettering.
Other ideas being mooted in the paper, which will go out for a three-month consultation, include a ban on advertising for "smoking paraphernalia" such as cigarette papers.Other ideas being mooted in the paper, which will go out for a three-month consultation, include a ban on advertising for "smoking paraphernalia" such as cigarette papers.
Pack sizes could also be restricted to a minimum of 20.Pack sizes could also be restricted to a minimum of 20.
The consultation paper will be published in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It applies in its entirety to England, and certain sections apply to Wales and Northern Ireland. The consultation paper will be published in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It applies in its entirety to England, and certain sections - including that on smoking and young people - apply to Wales and Northern Ireland.
Last week the Scottish Government announced a range of proposals to restrict tobacco sales in Scotland - including a ban in shops from displaying cigarettes in "pride of place" on their shelves.Last week the Scottish Government announced a range of proposals to restrict tobacco sales in Scotland - including a ban in shops from displaying cigarettes in "pride of place" on their shelves.
On the latest consultation document, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said it was vital to take away temptation from children.On the latest consultation document, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said it was vital to take away temptation from children.
"Protecting children from smoking is a government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this," she said. "Protecting children from smoking is a government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this," she said. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYI will not support a government that suggests that packaging is the reason why people smokeDavid Craven, Oxford class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4878&edition=1&ttl=20080531042635">Send us your comments
"If banning brightly coloured packets, removing cigarettes from display and removing the cheap option of a pack of 10 helps save lives, then that is what we should do, but we want to hear everyone's views first.""If banning brightly coloured packets, removing cigarettes from display and removing the cheap option of a pack of 10 helps save lives, then that is what we should do, but we want to hear everyone's views first."
'Tobacco trap''Tobacco trap'
Martin Dockrell, from the anti-smoking group Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), said: "These sorts of measures are not going to have an overnight effect, but we think they will over time."Martin Dockrell, from the anti-smoking group Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), said: "These sorts of measures are not going to have an overnight effect, but we think they will over time."
A YouGov poll commissioned by Ash of 3,330 people found that 65% supported a complete ban on cigarette vending machines, while 43% favoured the introduction of plain packaging.A YouGov poll commissioned by Ash of 3,330 people found that 65% supported a complete ban on cigarette vending machines, while 43% favoured the introduction of plain packaging.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, from the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, said: "It is essential that cigarettes are made more inaccessible to children. As far as vending machines go, the simple solution is to make them credit card operated - then children can't use them Neil Rafferty, ForestDr Vivienne Nathanson, from the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, said: "It is essential that cigarettes are made more inaccessible to children. As far as vending machines go, the simple solution is to make them credit card operated - then children can't use them Neil Rafferty, Forest
"We need to break the tobacco trap. Young smokers will become tomorrow's parents who smoke and they will continue the cycle of smoking-related ill-health and premature death.""We need to break the tobacco trap. Young smokers will become tomorrow's parents who smoke and they will continue the cycle of smoking-related ill-health and premature death."
But pro-smoking organisation Forest warned that banning point-of-sale display could make smoking even more attractive to teenagers, and could increase the appeal of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes.But pro-smoking organisation Forest warned that banning point-of-sale display could make smoking even more attractive to teenagers, and could increase the appeal of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes.
Spokesman Neil Rafferty said: "In one Canadian province, youth smoking actually went up in the first 18 months after a display ban was introduced.Spokesman Neil Rafferty said: "In one Canadian province, youth smoking actually went up in the first 18 months after a display ban was introduced.
"As far as vending machines go, the simple solution is to make them credit card operated - then children can't use them.Similar proposals were suggested for Scotland last week"As far as vending machines go, the simple solution is to make them credit card operated - then children can't use them.Similar proposals were suggested for Scotland last week
"And banning packs of 10 is the stupidest idea of all."And banning packs of 10 is the stupidest idea of all.
"If children can afford two packs of 10 every week, then they can afford one pack of 20."If children can afford two packs of 10 every week, then they can afford one pack of 20.
"And it's like banning small chocolate bars - if you buy the big one, will you leave half? No you'll eat the lot, just like you'll smoke the lot."And it's like banning small chocolate bars - if you buy the big one, will you leave half? No you'll eat the lot, just like you'll smoke the lot.
"It also means that adult smokers who are trying to cut down by buying packs of 10 are not going to have that chance.""It also means that adult smokers who are trying to cut down by buying packs of 10 are not going to have that chance."
The retail sector has also expressed concerns about the potential impact of the measures on trade.The retail sector has also expressed concerns about the potential impact of the measures on trade.
Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said it was not only children who needed help: "Any new tobacco control plan should also aim to support current smokers, particularly people from the most disadvantaged communities.Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said it was not only children who needed help: "Any new tobacco control plan should also aim to support current smokers, particularly people from the most disadvantaged communities.
"For all those that are trapped by their tobacco addiction, we hope to see more help for people who want to quit so they can succeed.""For all those that are trapped by their tobacco addiction, we hope to see more help for people who want to quit so they can succeed."