You've got to laugh.
I've just returned from seven days in Cuba and within twelve hours of landing the Guardian reported that the Government is to legislate on plain packaging:
Quite frankly, it could have been written by ASH.
I'm not saying it isn't true but I am reminded of the "confidence trick" that ASH boasted of having pulled off after MPs voted overwhelmingly for a ban on smoking in all public places. See Smoke and mirrors (July 19, 2006)
Given that it worked for them before I am pretty certain that they are up to their old tricks.
There is a long way to go before this particular battle is won or lost so don't despair and don't give up! In fact there are half a million reasons why we should keep on campaigning.
If you haven't done so already write to your MP today. It takes two minutes and is time well spent.
PS. In a written answer to Alex Cunningham MP, published yesterday, health minister Anna Soubry wrote:
The Department published the “Consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products” in April 2012. A consultation-stage impact assessment was published alongside the consultation.
The Department received many thousands of responses to the consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products, including standard postcard campaigns and petitions from a range of interested parties. A summary report of consultation responses will be published in due course, which will set out the numbers and categories of responses received.
The Government has an open mind on this issue and any decisions to take further policy action on tobacco packaging will be taken only after full consideration is given to the consultation responses, evidence and other relevant information.
If the Government has decided to implement plain packaging then Soubry has misled an MP (and everyone else) by claiming that it still has an "open mind" on the subject.
As I have written before, I like Soubry. She strikes me as a frank, honest, feisty politician so I would be surprised if she made a statement that was not in good faith.
Personally I believe it's wishful thinking on the part of ASH, CRUK and a "senior Whitehall source". Now, who could that be?!