Plain packaging consultation is both pointless and patronising
16 April 2012
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The IEA responds to the Government's planned plain packaging of tobacco consultation
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The IEA responds to the Government's consultation on plain packaging of tobacco
Commenting on the government’s decision to launch a consultation on plain packaging for cigarettes and other tobacco products, Mark Littlewood, Director General at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:
“It is remarkable that during a period of economic upheaval across Europe and the world, the coalition is willing to waste time engaging in this patronising consultation, which will not result in any tangible benefits to public health.
“David Cameron appears to be reneging on his promise that he would no longer treat adults like children, but would give them more responsibility over their lives.
“The coalition is now seriously considering banning British adults from looking at certain colour schemes. A more nannying and meddling policy is hard to imagine.
“It is impossible to believe that any adult in the country can be unaware of the health risks associated with smoking. No-one takes up smoking simply because they could not resist pretty colours on a packet.
“Those who will benefit the most from plain packaging will be organised crime networks who already control a substantial proportion of tobacco sales and whose lives will be made considerably easier should this policy be pursued.
“If we are serious about tackling underage smoking, we should be looking at the experience of successful countries – such as Germany – and improve education and increase enforcement at the point of sale, rather than indulging in this kind of nanny statism.”
Notes to editors
To arrange an interview with an IEA spokesperson please contact Stephanie Lis, Director of Communications: 020 7799 8909, slis@iea.org.uk
“No more of a government treating everyone like children …let’s treat adults like adults and give them more responsibility over their lives.” – David Cameron quoted in The Observer on 13thFeb 2011.
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.
The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
“It is remarkable that during a period of economic upheaval across Europe and the world, the coalition is willing to waste time engaging in this patronising consultation, which will not result in any tangible benefits to public health.
“David Cameron appears to be reneging on his promise that he would no longer treat adults like children, but would give them more responsibility over their lives.
“The coalition is now seriously considering banning British adults from looking at certain colour schemes. A more nannying and meddling policy is hard to imagine.
“It is impossible to believe that any adult in the country can be unaware of the health risks associated with smoking. No-one takes up smoking simply because they could not resist pretty colours on a packet.
“Those who will benefit the most from plain packaging will be organised crime networks who already control a substantial proportion of tobacco sales and whose lives will be made considerably easier should this policy be pursued.
“If we are serious about tackling underage smoking, we should be looking at the experience of successful countries – such as Germany – and improve education and increase enforcement at the point of sale, rather than indulging in this kind of nanny statism.”
Notes to editors
To arrange an interview with an IEA spokesperson please contact Stephanie Lis, Director of Communications: 020 7799 8909, slis@iea.org.uk
“No more of a government treating everyone like children …let’s treat adults like adults and give them more responsibility over their lives.” – David Cameron quoted in The Observer on 13thFeb 2011.
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.
The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
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