Bold new look for Hands Off Our Packs!
Monday, March 31, 2014 at 10:00
Simon Clark

Sir Cyril Chantler is understood to have delivered his report on standardised packaging last week.

The review of the evidence on the effect of plain packaging on public health was commissioned by the Government – on the instructions, we are told, of David Cameron – in November.

Sir Cyril invited submissions from all sides of the debate. This was followed by meetings with a number of interested parties.

Two officials were seconded from the Department of Health to help him.

Earlier this month he travelled to Australia where standardised packs were introduced in December 2012 and where there is still no evidence to suggest the policy has had any positive impact on public health.

Despite this, and even before Sir Cyril's report has been made public, pressure is building on government to introduce the policy.

There are a number of scenarios – which I won't go into here – but we are planning for every eventuality.

This week, for example, we are rebranding the Hands Off Our Packs campaign and launching a new microsite.

As ever, we will be appealing for your help and support.

Full details to follow. Watch this space.

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