An easy way to write to your MEP about the Tobacco Products Directive

Thanks to everyone who is supporting Forest's campaign against the EU's Tobacco Products Directive.

As we explained when the No Thank EU campaign was launched on July 29, the revised TPD threatens to ban menthol cigarettes, prohibit smaller pouches of roll-your-own tobacco and severely restrict the shape and size of cigarette packets.

Unelected bureaucrats in Brussels also want to increase the size of health warnings so they cover up to 75 per cent of the packet, front and back.

Extraordinary.

When the campaign website was launched it gave you the opportunity to sign an online petition. It also gave you the option of giving us permission to send, on your behalf, a letter to your MP and MEPs opposing the Directive.

Today we are launching a revised website that allows you to write direct to your elected representatives in Westminster and Brussels. There is no longer any need to give us permission to do it on your behalf because you can do it yourself, and it only takes a minute.

If you have already signed up and given us permission to send a letter there is no need to do anything more. But if you haven't please visit action.nothankeu.com NOW!

Enter your postcode followed by your first and last names, your email and postal addresses, and any additional comments you wish to make. (The latter is optional.)

MEPs are due to vote on the Tobacco Products Directive in exactly three weeks so there is no time to lose.

Meanwhile, here are some reports about the No Thank EU campaign:

No Thank EU! After plain packs win Forest takes aim at Europe (The Grocer)
Retailers urged to stand up to EU tobacco regulation (Convenience Store)
Warning over new EU tobacco plans (Forecourt Trader)
Smokers and retailers urged to oppose EU Tobacco Directive (Packaging News)

And some blog posts:

No Thank EU (Politics Home)
Neine, danke (Velvet Glove Iron Fist)
The EU's insane mission to ban menthol cigarettes (Politics.co.uk)
Will the persecution of smokers ever stop under [the] Conservatives? (ConservativeHome)
Nick Clegg should say No Thank EU (Liberal Vision)
Object to control, argue for choice (Dick Puddlecote)

You can also follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

H/T Angela Harbutt for the graphic above.