UNITED KINGDOM
History
In May 2008, the UK Department of Health launched a public consultation on the future of tobacco control. The consultation document invited public comments on a number of tobacco control measures, including plain packaging. Following consultation the UK Government rejected plain packaging. As Gillian Merron, Minister of State (Public Health), explained in a parliamentary Bills Committee discussion on 25 June 2009:
No evidence
No studies have been undertaken to show that plain packaging of tobacco would cut smoking uptake among young people or enable those who want to quit to do so. Given the impact that plain packaging would have on intellectual property rights, we would undoubtedly need strong and convincing evidence of the benefits to health, as well as its workability, before this could be promoted and accepted at an international level—especially as no country in the world has introduced plain packaging.As Gillian Merron, Minister of State (Public Health), explained in a parliamentary Bills Committee discussion on 25 June 2009" (emphasis added)
Source: House of Commons Public Bill Committee debate, 25 June 2009, Column 305.
In February 2010, the UK Government again cautioned in "A Smokefree Future: A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Strategy for England", that "the evidence base regarding ‘plain packaging’ needs to be carefully examined" and that it will "seek views on, and give weight to, the legal implications of restrictions on packaging for intellectual property rights and freedom of trade."
Recent developments
On 9 March 2011, the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley announced a strategy for public health entitled Healthy Lives; Healthy People: A Tobacco Control Plan for England.
On the issue of plain packaging, he said; “We will […] explore whether the introduction of plain packaging would bring additional public health benefits. The Government has an open mind on this and we want to hear what people think.”
Despite government’s announcement to conduct a public consultation before making a decision on plain packaging, a number of stakeholders have already expressed their concern:
“Illicit tobacco already makes up some 20% of the market in the UK and plain packaging will simply make it easier for providers of illicit tobacco to pass off their wares as legitimate. It will help create a thriving black market and will see tax revenues fall. The government announced it’s commitment to enterprise only last weekend; today’s announcement raises the fear that it was merely rhetoric.” Mark Littlewood, Institute of Economic Affairs, UK, March 2011
“The effect of plain packaging is even more unclear as it has not been tried anywhere in the world. But if implemented, this rule is sure to cause a number of operational problems for UK retailers.” James Lowman, CEO of the Association of Convenience Stores, UK, March 2011
"These plans amount to a ‘counterfeiter’s charter’. Counterfeiters have sophisticated their forgeries of current packaging to the point where even the trained eye sometimes misses the fakes. Switching to plain packaging will make it easier to sell their illicit and unregulated products especially to young people.” Jennie Formby, Unite National Officer for Tobacco Workers, UK, March 2011
Illicit trade in the United Kingdom
According to HM Revenue & Customs and the UK Border Agency 2008 estimates, illicit cigarettes represented approximately 12-17% of the UK market. Recent estimates believe that as much as GBP3 billion is being lost in revenue to the UK government annually.
Counterfeit
...huge quantities of counterfeit cigarettes continue to be targeted at the UK illicit market, as well as the rest of Western Europe. In 2007/08, counterfeit products made up 82% of large seizures of UK brands." (emphasis added)
Source: Tackling Tobacco Smuggling Together
Rat droppings
They want you to think you're buying REAL cigarettes. The fact is that many are made in backstreet factories. Rat droppings, bugs and all sorts of nasty chemicals, including any old muck that's lying around, could end up in them." (emphasis added)
Source: www.dodgycigs.co.uk
Read more on illicit trade