UK tobacco legislation set to change from 20 May
03 May 2017
Tobacco legislation is set to change radically in just a few days in the UK.
Small packs of 10 cigarettes will not be available, bland packaging will replace colourful packs and the cheapest pack of 20 cigarettes will cost a steep £8.82.
The new laws will come into force on 20 May 2016 but companies will get a 12-month grace period to sell their old packs and bring in standardised packaging.
From 21 May, sale of non-plain packs will attract severe penalties. Some types of flavoured tobacco will be banned with menthol cigarettes to be phased out completely by May 2020.
The new laws are aimed nudging people to kick the butt and deter a generation of new smokers from lighting up by making it less affordable.
Cigarette packets will be plain, with graphic pictorial warnings on the health impact of tobacco.
Under the new regulations, some flavoured cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco, including fruit, spice, herbs, alcohol, candy or vanilla, will also become illegal.
The charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), says phasing out menthol cigarettes will deter younger people from smoking.
According to Amanda Sandford of Ash, the new rules will make smokers think twice about spending money on cigarettes when the price of a packet hit them hard in the pocket.
She said, "Cigarettes are already expensive and the price increase of cigarettes is a key factor in making people quit smoking, Hull Daily Mail reported.
"So by removing the packet of ten cigarettes this means people will have to find that extra money for a packet. It will hit poorer smokers harder, who are usually younger smokers.
"Paying £3 or £4 for a packet of ten cigarettes at the moment might not seem so much to people and still leave them with change in their pockets. But when you have to spend £6/£7, even £9, people may think, 'Do I really need this packet?' "
