UK should wait before leaping in on the plain packaging of cigarettes
19 February 2013
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IEA reacts to New Zealand's government decision bring forward plain packaging
Commenting on the New Zealand government’s decision to put forward legislation on the plain packaging of tobacco, Christopher Snowdon, research fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:
“It’s disappointing that the New Zealand government is prepared to abolish intellectual property in this manner, but its wait-and-see policy reflects legitimate concerns about the cost of the legal battles involved. The news from New Zealand comes the day after a doctors’ lobby group in Britain explicitly called for tobacco-style regulation of food and drink, so businesses are justified in fearing for their own brands once the precedent is set with tobacco.
“By the time the various court cases have been resolved, plain packaging will have been in effect in Australia for a year or two and we will be better placed to see what the consequences have been.
“The British government has no reason to take a leap into the dark, especially when plain packaging is opposed by so many MPs, police officers, unions, trade associations and members of the public.”
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
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’s disappointing that the New Zealand government is prepared to abolish intellectual property in this manner, but its wait-and-see policy reflects legitimate concerns about the cost of the legal battles involved. The news from New Zealand comes the day after a doctors’ lobby group in Britain explicitly called for tobacco-style regulation of food and drink, so businesses are justified in fearing for their own brands once the precedent is set with tobacco.
“By the time the various court cases have been resolved, plain packaging will have been in effect in Australia for a year or two and we will be better placed to see what the consequences have been.
“The British government has no reason to take a leap into the dark, especially when plain packaging is opposed by so many MPs, police officers, unions, trade associations and members of the public.”
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
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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