Apologies for the lack of posts this past week.
We're working on a new project, to be revealed in a couple of weeks.
Meanwhile the BBC has this morning confirmed that Standardised plain cigarette packaging plans shelved.
The government is to postpone its plans to introduce standardised plain packaging for cigarettes in the UK.
Ministers are expected to tell MPs that a decision on the policy has been formally delayed so that more time can be spent examining how similar plans have worked in Australia.
(I know this because I was woken at four o'clock this morning by someone – who shall remain nameless – who wanted to share the good news.)
A small point, perhaps, but I'm not aware the Government ever had "plans to introduce standardised plain packaging in the UK". Not officially, anyway.
My understanding, because ministers and civil servants repeated it ad nauseum, is that ministers (if not the Department of Health) always had an "open mind" on the subject.
The Government conducted a public consultation on the issue and rival campaigns produced the following result – an estimated 220,000 responses in favour, 500,000 against.
According to the BBC, however:
Campaigners said they were bitterly disappointed with the decision.
Actually, some campaigners are delighted but we don't seem to exist.
Instead the BBC reports that the consultation was extended by a month to allow more people to respond "after strong public interest in the issue".
Strong public interest! How about: Huge protest against excessive regulation and the nanny state or Unprecedented response" reveals strength of feeling:
My early morning caller suggested that the BBC report is a bit disingenuous. You decide.
Update: The BBC has updated its report to include a quote from my colleague Angela Harbutt.
They have also changed "Campaigners said they were bitterly disappointed" to "Health campaigners said they were bitterly disappointed".
A small point, perhaps, but an important one.
Our full response is on the Hands Off Our Packs website:
Update: BBC (Five Live Breakfast and the Today programme) are all over the story.
Great interview with the IEA's Mark Littlewood on Five Live.
James Naughtie on Radio Four shamelessly playing the UKIP card whilst ignoring the response to the public consultation.
Antis bleating on Twitter.
Conservative MP (and GP) Sarah Wollaston tweets:
R.I.P public health. A day of shame for this government; the only winners big tobacco, big alcohol and big undertakers
Stephen Williams MP, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, tweets:
Terrible decision by govt to stop plans for standard cigarette packs. Victory for tobacco lobby, defeat for public health.
Let's hope neither are promoted to junior health minister in the forthcoming reshuffle!
Update: The Guardian also has the story – with a quote by Forest – here: UK plans for plain cigarette packaging to be shelved. You can comment.