UNITED KINGDOM
Public consultation
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 Jun 09:
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." (emphasis added)
Source: House of Commons Public Bill Committee debate, 25 June 2009, Column 305.
Later on 12 October 2009, during the final debate on the Health Bill in the Parliament, Gillian Merron reiterated that the evidence in favour of plain packaging was still wanting and asked that an MP drop an amendment for the inclusion of plain packaging in the Health Bill.
Illicit trade in the United Kingdom
In a 2008 report entitled Tackling Tobacco Smuggling Together, HM Revenue & Customs and the UK Border Agency estimated that illicit cigarettes represented approximately 13% of the UK market. The report states that:
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."
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