Update: Tough EU smoking rules approved (BBC News)
NEWS RELEASE Wednesday 26 February 2014
Campaigners question need for plain packaging of tobacco following adoption of revised a Tobacco Products Directive
The smokers' group Forest, which campaigned against revisions to the EU's Tobacco Products Directive, has questioned the need for standardised packaging of tobacco after MEPs voted to adopt a revised Tobacco Products Directive.
In addition to a ban on menthol cigarettes and ten packs, the Directive forces EU member states to increase the size of health warnings to cover 65 per cent of the front and back of the pack.
Simon Clark, director of Forest which ran the No Thank EU campaign, said:
"If health warnings are going to be even more prominent, dominating both sides of the pack, why on earth do we need plain packaging?
"At the very least the government should wait and see what impact the larger warnings have before introducing standardised packs which are opposed by so many people."
He added:
"Banning menthol cigarettes and ten packs is a serious attack on consumer choice that will do little to stop children smoking.
"The revised Directive is typical of the nanny state mentality that is prevalent not just in Brussels but also in Westminster."