Standardised tobacco packaging ‘can deliver health and economic benefits’

A new study has demonstrated that introducing standardised packaging of tobacco products in the UK could offer considerable benefits in terms of both health and economic performance.

Data from Public Health England has suggested the country could save around 500 million pounds from the 3.4 percent reduction in tobacco sales that would be expected within one year of introducing such a law, assuming that trends seen in Australia are mirrored here.

These benefits would be felt most in areas of greater social deprivation, with poorer populations experiencing better health outcomes and greater disposable income.

Such a move would also not harm retailers unduly, as they earn relatively little profit from tobacco sales – only seven to nine percent on average, compared to 20 to 30 percent for food and drink products.

Professor Kevin Fenton, national director for health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said: "The introduction of standardised packaging will be a major boost to our tobacco control efforts – helping move us closer towards achieving a tobacco-free generation, which is now in our reach."

Over the last six weeks, the government has been collating opinions on its proposed plan for standardised tobacco packaging, which it is minded to introduce. This consultation came to an end today (August 7th 2014).