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Cigarettes to come in plain packets

Cigarettes will be sold in plain, unbranded packaging in an attempt to make tobacco less attractive to consumers under plans to be announced this week.

All brands of cigarettes would be stripped of logos and colour schemes, leaving health warnings as the most prominent feature on the packet.

The Government is also considering whether to implement a ban on displaying cigarettes in shops, which would force retailers to sell tobacco under the counter.

The proposals have caused alarm among shop owners, who fear that newsagents and convenience stores would face significant extra costs if restrictions on cigarette sales were imposed.

The Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, is expected to publish the Coalition’s tobacco control plan to coincide with national No Smoking Day on Wednesday.

Shane Brennan, from the Association of Convenience Stores, said any proposals must consider the impact on shops.

“Plain packaging will have an impact on shops that needs to be properly understood but there is no evidence that it would help cut smoking,” he said. “Covering up the displays would pass significant costs and operational burdens on shops.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8364773/Cigarettes-to-come-in-plain-packets.html

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