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Labour attacks Tories over plain cigarette 'U-turn' Labour attacks Tories over plain cigarette 'U-turn'
(35 minutes later)
Labour has accused David Cameron of caving in to the tobacco industry after plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging in England are put on hold.Labour has accused David Cameron of caving in to the tobacco industry after plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging in England are put on hold.
Ministers have said a decision has been delayed so that more time can be spent examining how similar plans have worked in Australia.Ministers have said a decision has been delayed so that more time can be spent examining how similar plans have worked in Australia.
Downing Street is said to be worried about the impact on jobs.Downing Street is said to be worried about the impact on jobs.
But Labour wants an explanation about the "broken promise" and the input of Tory election strategist Lynton Crosby.But Labour wants an explanation about the "broken promise" and the input of Tory election strategist Lynton Crosby.
And health campaigners said the government had chosen tobacco profits over health.And health campaigners said the government had chosen tobacco profits over health.
Ministers were keen to go ahead with the proposal, designed to discourage young people from smoking by making the packets less attractive, after the Department of Health held a consultation last year.Ministers were keen to go ahead with the proposal, designed to discourage young people from smoking by making the packets less attractive, after the Department of Health held a consultation last year.
Under the plans, the standardised packets would all be the same colour, with the same font and carry a prominent graphic warning.Under the plans, the standardised packets would all be the same colour, with the same font and carry a prominent graphic warning.
'Important decision''Important decision'
But Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the government wanted to see how the policy had worked in Australia, the first country to introduce plain packaging last year, before making a "final decision".But Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the government wanted to see how the policy had worked in Australia, the first country to introduce plain packaging last year, before making a "final decision".
He said a public consultation on the issue, the details of which have been published on Friday, had shown that the debate was "high polarised" with "strong views" about the effectiveness of the policy on both sides.He said a public consultation on the issue, the details of which have been published on Friday, had shown that the debate was "high polarised" with "strong views" about the effectiveness of the policy on both sides.
"The UK is known the world over for its comprehensive, evidence-based tobacco control strategy, and we are continually driving down smoking rates through our range of actions," he said."The UK is known the world over for its comprehensive, evidence-based tobacco control strategy, and we are continually driving down smoking rates through our range of actions," he said.
"Obviously we take very seriously the potential for standardised packaging to reduce smoking rates."Obviously we take very seriously the potential for standardised packaging to reduce smoking rates.
"But in light of the differing views, we have decided to wait until the emerging impact of the decision in Australia can be measured, and then we will make a decision in England.""But in light of the differing views, we have decided to wait until the emerging impact of the decision in Australia can be measured, and then we will make a decision in England."
But Labour have asked ministers to come to Parliament on Friday, suggesting that the decision has been made for political and commercial reasons. But Labour claims the decision has been made for political and commercial reasons, Shadow public health minister has tabled an urgent Commons question, which she will put a health minister later.
"The Tories used to say there were in favour of this policy, that children should be protected," shadow health minister Dianne Abbott said."The Tories used to say there were in favour of this policy, that children should be protected," shadow health minister Dianne Abbott said.
"People will rightly wonder if the government is breaking its promise, despite the medical evidence and the wishes of British families, in order to please its friends in big business.""People will rightly wonder if the government is breaking its promise, despite the medical evidence and the wishes of British families, in order to please its friends in big business."
'Day of shame'
Labour want to know if Mr Crosby, an Australian political strategist who is running the party's election campaign had any influence over the decision - something the Conservatives have denied.Labour want to know if Mr Crosby, an Australian political strategist who is running the party's election campaign had any influence over the decision - something the Conservatives have denied.
Mr Crosby's lobbying firm Crosby Textor was employed by British American Tobacco to campaign against plain packaging in Australia. Mr Crosby's lobbying firm Crosby Textor was employed by British American Tobacco in Australia, but the company said the lobbyists did not work on it's campaign against plain packaging there.
"David Cameron needs to explain why he's doing it, when he decided, whether Lynton Crosby had any input into the decision, and whether he was aware of Lynton Crosby's alleged business interests when he appointed him," Ms Abbott added. Ms Abbott said David Cameron "needs to explain why he's doing it, when he decided, whether Lynton Crosby had any input into the decision, and whether he was aware of Lynton Crosby's alleged business interests when he appointed him".
'Wrong choice' The decision to delay the plain packaging decision was attacked by Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston, a former GP, who said on Twitter it had been done for "political expediency" and it was a "day of shame" for the government.
Cancer Research UK chief executive Dr Harpal Kumar said it was the "wrong choice" and would cost lives.Cancer Research UK chief executive Dr Harpal Kumar said it was the "wrong choice" and would cost lives.
"The decision is as much about politics and as much about the profits of the tobacco industry and, frankly, less about the implications for the health of the British public.""The decision is as much about politics and as much about the profits of the tobacco industry and, frankly, less about the implications for the health of the British public."
And the British Lung Foundation said the decision was "bewildering".And the British Lung Foundation said the decision was "bewildering".
"Cigarette packaging is designed to make a deadly product attractive to young people and create future generations of smokers," said the charity's chief executive Penny Woods."Cigarette packaging is designed to make a deadly product attractive to young people and create future generations of smokers," said the charity's chief executive Penny Woods.
But pro-smokers' group Forest said it was "delighted" with the decision while the Tobacco Manufacturers Association said the government should look at alternative measures, such as tackling the black-market trade and sales to under-aged smokers. But pro-smokers' group Forest said ministers had "listened to ordinary people" and it was good news for those who "believe in consumer freedom and are opposed to excessive regulation".
'Scotland committed'
The Tobacco Manufacturers Association said the government should look at alternative measures, such as tackling the black-market trade and sales to under-aged smokers.
"Plain packaging would have been an assault on UK business in the midst of difficult economic times," it said."Plain packaging would have been an assault on UK business in the midst of difficult economic times," it said.
"Plain packs would be far easier to copy and would have therefore been a gift to the criminal gangs behind the increasing illegal trade in tobacco which costs the UK Treasury up to £8m per day in lost tax revenue.""Plain packs would be far easier to copy and would have therefore been a gift to the criminal gangs behind the increasing illegal trade in tobacco which costs the UK Treasury up to £8m per day in lost tax revenue."
The Scottish government says it is "still committed" to introducing plain packaging.
The BBC understands Scottish ministers had expected to see how the policy was introduced in England before seeking to approve the same or similar legislation but are now expected to press ahead with their own plans.
In Australia, cigarettes must be sold in olive green packets with no logos, carrying graphic images warning of the consequences of smoking.In Australia, cigarettes must be sold in olive green packets with no logos, carrying graphic images warning of the consequences of smoking.
The only concession in Australia to the tobacco companies is their name and the name of the brand variant in small print at the bottom of the box. A mention of the brand and the manufacturer is allowed in small print at the bottom of the box.