No Smoking Day and plain packaging legislation: happy coincidence?

I'm not a conspiracy theorist but ...

Is anyone surprised that today's vote on plain packaging legislation just happened to coincide with No Smoking Day?

Call me an anorak but the curious thing is this: if it's coincidence how come Cancer Research was confident enough to book, in January, online advertising space for the days leading up to NSD?

No Smoking Day is run by the British Heart Foundation not CRUK so it's unlikely the space was booked to promote another organisation's event. Instead CRUK has been promoting the 'facts' about standardised packaging.

They even placed an ad at a London Underground station (Westminster?) but when that was booked I don't know.

Nevertheless there has clearly been a lot of pre-planning but who knew MPs would vote on plain packaging on March 11?

Public health minister Jane Ellison only announced in February that the government was going ahead with legislation so was it a lucky punt by CRUK or did they know something we didn't?

Inevitably NSD has been overshadowed by today's vote but I've still been asked to talk about it on a couple of local radio stations.

Yesterday I also spoke to the Cambridge News which quoted me today in this article, National No Smoking Day: where should we be allowed to smoke?.

Anyway, plain packaging. MPs had three hours to vote for and against. The result is due around 4.00 or 7.00pm so watch this space.

We expect a large majority in favour. Eighty to 100 Tory MPs are thought to be against the measure but will they bother to vote when they know they're going to lose? Some have prior commitments in their constituencies and at least one is thought to be at the Cheltenham Festival!

This morning I did an interview for the BBC News Channel. I was joined in the studio at New Broadcasting House by ASH CEO Deborah Arnott. This was our first meeting since a rather frosty encounter last year. She was in a far better mood today, although I'm not sure which version I prefer.

One thing that never changes is her determination to mention the source of Forest's funding. After the interview she even tweeted about it as if it was some sort of achievement.

Watch the full interview below. Deborah's zealotry was so full on it was hard not to laugh.

#packetracket BBC fails to mention FOREST funded by tobacco industry: yet again left to ASH http://t.co/e2aUrC1Rr3

— Deborah Arnott (@DeborahArnott) March 11, 2015

Does your MP have the courage and conviction to vote against plain packs?

The battle to stop plain packaging of tobacco isn't over.

Today the Designated Legislation Committee meets to consider the issue. The Committee is dominated by MPs who support standardised packs so we expect the legislation will proceed to a vote in the House of Commons tomorrow or Wednesday (No Smoking Day).

That's no reason to throw in the towel, however. Today we're writing to MPs, especially those who have previously expressed opposition to the measure, to encourage them to vote against when the time comes.

Politicians have a horrible habit of melting away if they think they're going to be on the end of a drubbing so for those who stick to their guns and vote against it will be a sign of courage and conviction.

So, if you haven't done so, please write to your MP today. As I mentioned yesterday you can send a template letter via our Last Chance Saloon website. Alternatively, send a personal email. (Check your MP's website for their contact details.)

Meanwhile, as well as writing to MPs we're messaging them via this ad on Guido Fawkes and ConservativeHome. It links to our Plain Speaking on Plain Packaging video and complements the ad that Cancer Research is running.

Decision to deny MPs a debate on plain packaging "absurd" says Conservative MP

There was an interesting discussion about plain packaging on Sky News this morning.

The guests were Labour's Luciana Berger, Imperial Tobacco's Axel Gietz and Conservative MP Sir Gerald Howarth.

I thought it was a well-handled and fair debate and for once it was the anti-smoking spokesman (Berger) who was outside sheltering from the wind and rain under an umbrella!

Howarth has had a bit of stick on Twitter but I thought he stuck to his guns very well. Responding to the suggestion that he was only dancing to the tobacco companies' tune, he described himself as a "conviction politician" and said it was "absurd" that MPs are being denied a debate on plain packaging.

I've said it before and I'll say it again – it was good to see a tobacco company spokesman in a TV debate. They should do it more often because faceless corporations are much easier to attack.

A quick word about Luciana Berger who's been a revelation since replacing Diane Abbott as Labour's shadow health minister.

She comes across as tough but charming, a rare combination in a politician. After the election I hope she's promoted well away from health!

Tomorrow the House of Commons Delegated Legislation Committee will consider the legislation for standardised packaging.

Assuming members agree to proceed MPs are expected to vote within 48 hours, possibly on Wednesday (No Smoking Day).

We're realistic about the outcome but we're determined to fight to the very end. Therefore, if you haven't already done so, please email your MP now via our Last Chance Saloon microsite.

It's important they know the strength and depth of feeling against plain packaging.

If you want to add a comment you might like to draw their attention to this video, An Evening of Plain Speaking on Plain Packaging.

It's not too late! Tell your MP today why you don't want plain packaging for tobacco http://t.co/SxM75xeccs pic.twitter.com/JHosUSFfOF

— Hands Off Our Packs (@NoToPlainPacks) March 8, 2015

Polls, packaging and the general public

Tobacco control is pushing hard to get plain packaging across the line if and when MPs vote next week.

A 'media briefing' issued by ASH yesterday claims the "public backs key tobacco control law".

Opinion polls have repeatedly shown strong public support for standardised packaging. An annual survey (“Smokefree Britain”) conducted by YouGov found that in the East of England 65% of adults polled supported the policy of requiring tobacco to be sold in plain standardised packaging with the product name in standard lettering, with only 10% opposing.

No doubt there are similar briefings for every region.

In response Forest released this response:

No public desire for plain packaging say campaigners

Campaigners opposed to plain packaging of tobacco products have rejected claims there is strong public support for the measure.

Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest which runs the Hands Off Our Packs campaign, said:

"According to a Populus poll published last month the public doesn't view the government’s plain packaging proposals as a priority.

"The public wants parliament to prioritise tackling immigration and terrorism, not plain packaging of cigarettes.

"Plain packaging legislation is an ill-judged sideshow and a distraction from the real challenges the government faces before the end of this parliament."

He added:

"Two-thirds of respondents to the government's 2012 consultation, which attracted over 665,000 responses, and 99 per cent of responses to last year's consultation, opposed plain packaging.

"Given that level of opposition it's scandalous the government is pressing ahead with the policy."

There's more detail on the Forest website here: No public desire for plain packaging say campaigners.

Btw, this is what I had to say at our recent event at the Institute of Directors:

Is this why our PR PM rolled over?

Could this be true?

Via a well-connected MP and an intermediary I've heard that David Cameron was told by an anti-smoking group that if he didn't introduce plain packaging before the election he'd be followed throughout the campaign by a man dressed as a cigarette.

Needless to say, instead of telling the public health bullies to f-off, our PR PM rolled over. Again.

You couldn't make it up.

MPs to vote on plain packaging next Wednesday

So, it seems MPs will get to vote on plain packaging next week, but there won't be a debate.

In the last hour the Telegraph's chief political correspondent Christopher Hope has reported that:

A ban on advertising on cigarette packets will become law through the House of Commons without a debate by MPs next week.

The controversial ban will be considered by a cross party committee of MPs on Monday and then – if the MPs agree – there will be a free vote without a debate on Wednesday.

The cross party committee that will consider the legislation is the House of Commons Delegated Legislation Committee whose members are:

Chair: Sir Roger Gale (Conservative)
Debbie Abrahams (Labour)
Luciana Berger (Labour)
Kevin Brennan (Labour)
Mr Russell Brown (Labour)
Paul Burstow (Lib Dem)
Neil Carmichael (Conservative)
Alex Cunningham (Labour)
Nick de Bois (Conservative)
Jane Ellison, Public Health Minister (Conservative)
Sir Edward Garnier (Conservative)
Richard Harrington (Conservative)
John Penrose (Conservative)
Chris Ruane (Labour)
Sir Andrew Stunell (Lib Dem)
Phil Wilson (Labour)
Sammy Wilson (DUP)

By our reckoning only three are opposed to plain packaging. A fourth is against but he's a government whip so he'll vote in favour.

Not looking good, but we knew that anyway.

Fury as Tory MPs denied a debate on plain packaging cigarette ban. Free vote on Wed; 100 MPs set to rebel. By me: http://t.co/EkV2K7Sxbd

— Christopher Hope (@christopherhope) March 5, 2015

Update on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 14:49 by Simon Clark

Meanwhile we've placed a sponsored post on Politics Home.

Stop the nonsense say critics of plain packaging | http://t.co/P5UeyY2Wbd @Forest_Smoking

— Central Lobby (@CentralLobby) March 5, 2015

Irish parliament passes plain packaging laws

Ireland yesterday became the first country in Europe and the second in the world to pass plain packaging laws for tobacco.

Anti-smoking campaigners were quick to celebrate and they brought their children – bearing an assortment of PR friendly placards – with them. Now that's what I call child abuse!

Forest reacted as best we could. John Mallon, our man in Cork, appeared on RTE News and was interviewed on radio by Newstalk, and, this morning, Clare FM.

He also featured in news bulletins on the following stations: 4FM, FM104, Galway Bay FM, KCLR FM, Limerick 95FM, Northern Sound and Tipp FM.

On Monday he was interviewed on UTV Ireland Live with our old friend Dr Luke Clancy, formerly of ASH Ireland.

Forest Eireann's full response, issued yesterday, was:

Campaigners have urged the government to postpone the implementation of standardised packaging for cigarettes until ministers have assessed the impact of other tobacco control measures.

Legislation to introduce plain packaging will move a step closer to becoming law today but the smokers' group Forest Eireann wants the government to delay the introduction of the measure.

Spokesman John Mallon said: "The government should wait until it has assessed the impact of the larger health warnings that are being introduced next year as part of the European Union's revised Tobacco Products Directive.

"This legislation is the result of a personal crusade by children's minister James Reilly. It is deeply flawed. There's no evidence plain packaging will stop children smoking."

He added: "Evidence from Australia suggests that standardised packaging could fuel illicit trade by playing into the hands of counterfeiters and criminal gangs.

"Ultimately that could be far more harmful to children because criminals don't care who they sell to."

PS. I don't think John was impressed but this tweet made laugh.

Seriously? Forest Éireann John Mallon #SmokersRights @UTVIreland #smoking pic.twitter.com/IXjE1u1NMS

— Melanie May (@_melaniemay) March 3, 2015

WATCH: An Evening of Plain Speaking on Plain Packaging

Here it is, the video of Stop The Nonsense: An Evening of Plain Speaking on Plain Packaging at the Institute of Directors.

Dan Donovan has edited 98 minutes of footage into a twelve-minute film that features contributions from the eight speakers (and me).

Speakers included the IEA's Mark Littlewood; Madsen Pirie, president of the Adam Smith Institute; John O'Connell (TaxPayers Alliance); Angela Harbutt (Liberal Vision); and Chris Snowdon.

There are also soundbites from a handful of guests. Sorry we couldn't include more.

The video will be sent on DVD and memory stick to MPs and journalists. In addition to the main video (above), the DVD will feature every speech in full.

It will also feature Brian Monteith reading an anti plain pack message from former justice minister, the Rt Hon Damian Green MP.

I'll post a selection over the next few days.

Many thanks to Dan Donovan who has battled numerous other commitments (plus a heavy cold and fatigue!) to complete this time-consuming task. He was still emailing me at 4.00am on Monday morning.

Update: It's not too late to make your opinions known. If you haven't done so, please write to your MP via our Last Chance Saloon microsite.