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Tighter tobacco restrictions under consideration

31/05/2008

Cigarettes could be sold in a minimum pack of 20 and vending machines could be banned under proposals unveiled today.

The suggestions come as part of the government's consultation document on how to reduce the number of people who smoke.

Ideas include removing branding and logos from all tobacco packaging; restricting the display of tobacco products in shops; and banning the advertising of smoking paraphernalia, such as cigarette papers.

Selling cigarettes in minimum packs of 20 is designed to discourage young people, who can only afford packs of ten, from smoking.

The consultation document, published on World No Tobacco Day, suggests either banning vending machines altogether or restricting access through systems that only allow adult purchase.

The take-up of smoking in young people is lower than a decade ago but over 200,000 of all under 16's start smoking each year.

As a result they are three times more likely to die of cancer due to smoking than someone who starts in their mid-20s.

"Protecting children from smoking is a Government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this," said public health minister Dawn Primarolo.

"If banning brightly coloured packets; removing cigarettes from display; and removing the cheap option of a pack of ten helps save lives, then that is what we should do - but we want to hear everyone's views first."

The consultation has been welcomed by health campaigners, including by a coalition of over 30 organisations including the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Action on Smoking and Health (Ash).

BHF chief executive Peter Hollins said: "One in five adults is a smoker who wants to quit, so we must continue to find more effective ways of helping them to give up. We must also discourage a new generation of young people from falling into this health trap in the first place.

"A well-funded, long-term national strategy is vital to reducing ill health caused by smoking, and to ensure that smoking rates do not start increasing again."

Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, added: "We hope the government will commit to an ambitious plan and targets for a healthier future.

"Two-thirds of smokers start before the age of 18. We need to aim to stop today's children from starting to smoke and becoming part of these unacceptable and wholly preventable statistics."