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Government rejects Labour's cigarette 'U-turn' claim Government rejects Labour's cigarette 'U-turn' claim
(35 minutes later)
The government has denied claims it has caved in to the tobacco industry after plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging in England were put on hold.The government has denied claims it has caved in to the tobacco industry after plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging in England were put on hold.
A decision has been delayed so more time can be spent examining how similar plans have worked in Australia.A decision has been delayed so more time can be spent examining how similar plans have worked in Australia.
Health minister Anna Soubry said she "would never give into pressure" and awaiting more evidence was "sensible".Health minister Anna Soubry said she "would never give into pressure" and awaiting more evidence was "sensible".
But Labour said it was a "humiliating u-turn" and questioned the input of Tory election strategist Lynton Crosby.But Labour said it was a "humiliating u-turn" and questioned the input of Tory election strategist Lynton Crosby.
And health campaigners said the government had chosen tobacco profits over health. Health campaigners and doctors groups have criticised the move, comes as the government announced plans to set a minimum price for alcohol in England are to be formally abandoned.
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. BBC political correspondent Ben Wright suggested the Conservatives were trying to jettison policies that might prove unpopular with voters in order to focus on their core economic message in the run up to the next election.
Ministers were keen to go ahead with the cigarette packaging 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.
"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."
Ministers said 53% of those responding to the consultation were in favour of plain packaging while 43% had urged the government to take no action on the issue.Ministers said 53% of those responding to the consultation were in favour of plain packaging while 43% had urged the government to take no action on the issue.
In an urgent question in the Commons, shadow health minister Dianne Abbott said the "disgraceful" announcement showed the government had "caved into big business" and the "health of the nation has been sacrificed to the interests of big tobacco".In an urgent question in the Commons, shadow health minister Dianne Abbott said the "disgraceful" announcement showed the government had "caved into big business" and the "health of the nation has been sacrificed to the interests of big tobacco".
"We have to ask on this side of the House what happened," she added. "We suspect that Lynton Crosby happened.""We have to ask on this side of the House what happened," she added. "We suspect that Lynton Crosby happened."
'Day of shame''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 always 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 always denied.
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.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.
But health minister Anna Soubry told MPs this was a "complete red herring" since Mr Crosby had not had any conversation with a health minister on the issue. Asked when she last spoke to him, she said it was in 2004.But health minister Anna Soubry told MPs this was a "complete red herring" since Mr Crosby had not had any conversation with a health minister on the issue. Asked when she last spoke to him, she said it was in 2004.
And No 10 said Mr Crosby had had "no involvement" in the decision and had never lobbied David Cameron on the issue.
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.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.
But Conservative colleague Peter Bone said "evidence-based" policy making was right and changes should not be "rushed through".But Conservative colleague Peter Bone said "evidence-based" policy making was right and changes should not be "rushed through".
Cancer Research UK chief executive Dr Harpal Kumar said it was the "wrong choice" and would cost lives. Cancer Research UK said the decision would cost lives while the British Lung Foundation said the delay was "bewildering".
"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 British Medical Association said packaging was a "key tool" for the industry to attract young smokers.
And the British Lung Foundation said the decision was "bewildering". "It is deeply disappointing that the government has given in to the pressure from the tobacco industry," Dr Vivienne Nathanson, its director of professional activities, said. "This is another example of a government which claims to have prioritised public health putting vested interests over those of the public."
"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 ministers had "listened to ordinary people" and it was good news for those who "believe in consumer freedom and are opposed to excessive regulation".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''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.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 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.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.
A mention of the brand and the manufacturer is allowed in small print at the bottom of the box.