Health bosses at Blackpool Council have expressed their delight after a court decision cleared the path for plainly packaged cigarettes.



The European Court of Justice dismissed an appeal from tobacco industry on Thursday (19.5.16) to stop a change in law, which means that, from today, all cigarettes made in the UK must carry the same plain green packaging.

It means the beginning of the end for brightly designed cigarette packets being sold across Britain.

Shops will be given a year’s grace period to sell out their current stocks of cigarettes before the law changes in May 2017 to mean that only the plain green packaged cigarettes can be sold to the public.

At the same time, the revised Tobacco Products Directive will require health warnings to cover 65% of the front and back of packages, as well as being on the top. Misleading words like ‘natural’, ‘lite’ and ‘organic’ will no longer be allowed to promote products and the minimum size of packets has increased to 20 cigarettes and 30 grams for Hand Rolling Tobacco.

Advertising for electronic cigarettes and re-fill containers will also be prohibited on most media platforms, including internet, television, radio, newspapers and magazines. Additionally, a size limit for e-liquids has been imposed of 10ml for dedicated refill containers and 2ml for disposable electronic cigarettes, cartridges and refillable tanks.

All products must be child and tamper proof, include a health warning covering 30% of the surfaces of the packaging and must include the product’s nicotine content together with instructions for use.

The news will be a big boost to Blackpool’s health, and is hoped to reduce the amount of young children taking up smoking, according to Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Reducing Health Inequalities, Cllr Amy Cross.

“The European Court’s decision is a landmark ruling, which will undoubtedly reduce the temptation for children to start smoking.

“As somebody who started smoking as a child I recognise the impact packaging has on young smokers. I wish these laws had been in place much sooner when I was growing up but this is a great step forward.

“Changing the colour of cigarette packets sounds like a simple change but along with easier access to our stop smoking services and the reduction of areas where it is acceptable to smoke it creates an environment whereby smoking is no longer seen as acceptable behaviour.

“Stopping smoking isn’t an easy thing to do – as I can tell you - but our professional Stop Smoking Service will help people every step of the way, providing information and support to fit around people’s daily lives. They are approachable and run clinics throughout the town where they will help you every step of the way.

Dr Arif Rajpura, Director of Public Health at Blackpool Council, added: “The damage that smoking causes to your body is irreversible, and every extra cigarette makes you more likely to develop serious health problems that will affect you and your family.

“Everybody knows that smoking is linked to lung disease, but it also increases your risk of getting heart disease, having a stroke or developing mental health problems.

“Aside from your own health, smoking increases the risks of those around you from getting similar illnesses – particularly if you have young children.

“One final added bonus to stopping smoking is the money - people who quit smoking could be hundreds of pounds better off – it’s a no brainer.”

Anybody thinking of quitting should contact 0800 246 1576 or text QUIT to 66777 to get started.