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Blank cigarette packets demanded

05/09/2008

Health campaigners are calling on the government to force tobacco companies to sell cigarettes in blank packets.

Cancer Research UK also wants the removal of tobacco products from sight at the point of sale and the banning of cigarette vending machines.

According to the charity restrictions on tobacco advertising introduced in 2003 did not go far enough.

Cancer Research UK is releasing a new study showing that for every cigarette brand a teenager can recall at the point of sale their chances of smoking increases by a third.

It comes as 8,000 people write to the Department of Health (DoH) to urge the government to protect young people and put tobacco out of sight and mind.

Four out of five smokers start before they turn 19, Cancer Research said, with more than half dying of cancer or another smoking-related disease.

And Cancer Research UK is accusing the tobacco industry of using "attention-grabbing designs" to make cigarette packs appear more enticing.

"We've come a long way - introducing smokefree laws and making it illegal to sell cigarettes to under 18's - but the job isn't done," said the organisation's director of tobacco, Jean King.

"The evidence is clear and strong support from the public is there – we need to put tobacco out of sight and out of mind to protect all young people. The government has the opportunity to act with conviction and further reduce the devastating impact that tobacco has on so many lives."