SOMERSET NEWS: Council backs plans to remove branding from cigarette packets

THE Government’s decision to move forward with plans to remove branding from cigarette and tobacco packs in England has been backed by Somerset County Council.

The news follows an independent report which found that plain standardised packaging would remove the temptation of highly designed branding in attracting young smokers.

The Chantler review found that standardised packaging is likely to contribute to a modest but important reduction in smoking, including a drop in the number of children who start.

"There is very strong evidence that exposure to tobacco advertising and promotion increases the likelihood of children taking up smoking," says the report.

Stewart Brock, Somerset’s public health specialist, said: “This is an important step in the fight back against tobacco.

“More than 1,600 young people aged between 11 and 15 take up smoking every year in Somerset. Industry documents show that tobacco packaging has for decades been designed, in the light of market research, with regard to what appeals to target groups. Branded cigarettes are 'badge' products, frequently on display, which therefore act as a 'silent salesman'.

“This measure will help to stop the industry recruiting the next generation of smokers.”

Chairman of the Somerset Health and Well-being Board, Cllr Christine Lawrence, said: “Standardised packs are much less attractive to young people, and will make a small but important contribution to reducing uptake. The council is committed to reducing smoking by young people.

“Removing attractive packaging from the marketplace will help us with this task. By the age of 21 most smokers wished they hadn’t started.

“We hope and expect that in future thanks to this new law, many fewer young people will experience this regret.”

Advice and support to stop smoking is available through local NHS stop smoking services visit www.somersetstopsmoking.nhs.uk .

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