John Baron MP supports standardisation of tobacco packaging

MP says Government should review evidence

Yesterday in the House of Commons, John Baron MP spoke in a back bench debate on the standardisation of tobacco packaging. This would compel tobacco manufacturers to use one single approved design for their products, a move which evidence suggests would reduce the take-up of smoking amongst young adults in particular. Earlier this year, the Government decided to delay its decision to legislate for these changes.

In the debate, John said,

“Does the Minister agree that an increasing welter of evidence suggests that standardised packaging would help in the fight against smoking, particularly among the young? Will she give an assurance that the Government will increase the urgency of their review of the situation, and especially of the growing evidence in favour of standardised packaging?”

The Health Minister, Jane Ellison MP, replied that she could give John that commitment, and that she is giving her urgent consideration to the issue.

Afterwards, John said,

“We have made excellent progress at reducing the prevalence of smoking in our society – the smoking ban has been a great success. However, we need to keep up the pressure. There are few other measures which would make such a difference to public health and reduce the large number of lung cancer deaths.”

“We all know that cigarettes and other tobacco products are addictive, which is why it is doubly important to prevent younger people from taking up smoking in the first place. The evidence suggests these standardising packaging would have a beneficial effect, and I urge the Government to review its position.”