Fresh praises Government announcement on standard packs
Fresh has praised the Government after it announced plans to follow Australia in bringing in some of the most unattractive cigarette boxes on the planet.
The regional health programme, which has won awards for work to tackle smoking, says standard packs with larger health warnings are necessary to ensure fewer North East children are tempted to try smoking each year.
It has been reported that the coalition is expected to give ministers the power to introduce the policy. It follows amendments to include standard packs tabled in the Children and Families Bill currently going through the House of Lords and which received cross party support.
A review of the evidence, which will be led by Sir Cyril Chantler, a distinguished doctor, academic and NHS administrator, will report by the end of March. Subject to its findings, standard packaging could be in force before the 2015 general election.
Ailsa Rutter, Director of Fresh, said: “No parent wants their child to smoke whether they smoke or not, and the colourful tobacco packs on our shelves are specifically designed to appeal to young people. The evidence is already there. We are delighted that the Government has listened and taken notice.
“After the packs hit shelves in Australia a year ago, the Quitline saw a spike in calls and smokers reported that they found cigarettes from plain packs less appealing or satisfying. Even tobacco industry research shows smoking prevalence fell and awareness of health warnings increased dramatically.
“Most smokers start as children. While nothing is done, nearly 9,000 (1) North East children will start smoking each year and tobacco multinationals will be able to attract young people to an addictive, lethal product. Cigarettes should not be gift wrapped as fun products like sweets or chocolate.
Last year more than 13,500 people and 129 organisations in the North East – including every local authority – came out in support of standardised packs during the Department of Health consultation.
Despite reductions in smoking, the North East still has higher than average rates of young people smoking and taking up the addiction, with 9,000 children starting each year, according to figures from Cancer Research UK. The average age that North East smokers started is just 15, with some starting as young as 9 years old.
Standardised packs were introduced in Australia last December. Evidence shows they would make tobacco packs less attractive and end the deception that some cigarettes are less harmful than others. The latest opinion poll shows standardised packaging is supported by 63 per cent of adults, with just 3 per cent strongly opposing