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Forest condemns decision to bring forward plain packaging legislation

Thu 22nd January, 2015

Forest has condemned the Government's decision to bring forward plain cigarette packaging legislation before end of this parliament. Simon Clark, director of Forest which runs the Hands Off Our Packs campaign, said:
 
"The Government is taking a huge risk. There's no evidence plain packaging reduces smoking rates but there is evidence it increases illicit trade.
 
"This decision has nothing to do with health. It's politics, pure and simple."
 
He added: "Next year, under the EU's Tobacco Products Directive, health warnings will increase in size. The Government should wait and assess the impact of that policy before proceeding with even more regulations.

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