Cigarettes ‘should be sold in plain packaging’

This was the message from Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, formerly known as the Ulster Cancer Foundation, as the charity addressed MLAs at the monthly meeting of the All Party Group on Cancer in Stormont.

The meeting raised awareness and support of the government consultation into plain packaging for cigarettes which runs until 10th July.

Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention said, “Every year 340,000 children in the UK are tempted to smoke, that’s an estimated 10,000 here in Northern Ireland. Glossy packs are vital tools for the tobacco industry - they make cigarettes seem appealing and attract thousands of young people to buy them. Tobacco companies take every opportunity to maximise this by using shiny materials, holograms and colours to create a positive association with cigarette brands.

“The introduction of plain packaging will make cigarettes less attractive to consumers and will increase the effectiveness of health warnings. These warnings are currently competing with brand logos and colours but under the proposed legislation, all trademarks, colour schemes, and holograms will be banned, making health warnings more obvious.

Cancer Focus are supporting plain packs as a major step forward in their strategy to reduce smoking-related ill health and premature death. They are calling on all their supporters, health organisations, politicians and the public to show their support for plain packs by registering their vote at www.communityni.org/campaign/plain-packs.