Plain packaging to go ahead after tobacco firms lose court appeal

Cigarettes will be sold in plain packages after the High Court in London rejected an appeal by the tobacco industry to prevent the new law.

New stock will start to be packaged in unbranded containers from tomorrow as an EU directive comes into force, with existing stock phased out over the coming year.

Instead the packages will carry a health warning.

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The judge found the design and branding of packets exerted “a causal effect upon consumer behaviour and encouraged smoking”.

The ruling has been welcomed by health campaigners.

Sheila Duffy of campaign group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Scotland said she was “delighted” with the news.

“Big Tobacco has a long history of using legal challenges to delay legislation, making it less attractive for governments to pursue effective public health measures,” she said.

“This judgement will not only let the UK get on and protect children with plain packaging, but should encourage other countries to consider introducing it as well.”

Cancer Research UK said Scotland was the first place in the UK to support the move.

The charity’s cancer prevention expert Linda Bauld, based at the University of Stirling, said: “Standardised packaging will remove one of the last forms of tobacco marketing. This is good news for Scotland's children and families and an important step in driving down smoking rates further.”

One tobacco company involved in the case, JTI, has indicated it will take the appeal further.