UK set to introduce a new law for plain cigarette packaging

LONDON: The UK is planning to introduce a new law for plain packaging of cigarettes aimed at reducing its appeal to young people which could come into force before the general election in May.

"The move is likely to have a positive impact on public health, particularly for children," Jane Ellison, UK public health minister told MPs.

"We cannot be complacent. We all know the damage smoking does to health. This government is completely committed to protecting children from the harm that tobacco causes," she said.

British MPs would be asked to vote on the plan before May's general election following a series of public consultations on the issue.

The Opposition Labour party has already pledged to ban images on packets if it wins power and doctors say the move would save thousands of lives.

A review of the public health implications of standardised packaging last year had concluded it was very likely their introduction would lead to a modest but important reduction in the uptake and prevalence of smoking.

MPs are now expected to be given a free vote on the issue before Parliament is dissolved ahead of the general election campaign, which begins in April.

If it is cleared by the end of March, the law can come into force by 2016.

She also said that a ban on smoking in private cars would come into force from October.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer for England, welcomed the move.

"We need to keep up our efforts on tobacco control and standardised packaging is an important part of that," she said.

The British Lung Foundation and other health campaigners said plain packaging would reduce the appeal of cigarettes to young people.

Australia became the first country to ban all images and words - apart from public health warnings - from cigarette packs in December 2012.