Jersey to ban cigarette branding next?

Thursday 22 January 2015

The "plain packaging" move for cigarettes announced last night in the UK could be followed up here soon according to the Health department.

The announcement that David Cameron's government would push through a debate banning cigarette branding before the election, to take effect from next year, came as a shock in Westminster.

And here in Jersey - where health officials have only just banned the open display of tobacco products and public access to vending machines - it looks as though the move could be followed soon.

A spokesman for the Public Health department in Jersey said: "As part of their continuing work with a Tobacco Strategy for Jersey, the Health and Social Services department are considering the issue of plain packaging for cigarettes as we plan for future years.

"One of the aims of cigarettes being in plain packs is to reduce the uptake of smoking among young people. This is one of the key aims of the Tobacco Control Strategy. The current tobacco strategy has already delivered on introducing picture warnings, removing vending machines, having regulations in place to prevent advertising and promotion, removing tobacco at point of display and peer-based schools programme."

But the tobacco lobby body - who have long resisted a ban on branding - say that there would be no point in the move - they say that when similar steps were taken in Australia, underage smoking increased.

They've also argued that it would make it easier for counterfeiters to distribute cigarettes without paying any duty, and that it would make a mockery of the move in October to ban the display of tobacco products.

The Channel Islands Tobacco Importers and Manufacturers Association spoke against the move, saying: "We have just brought in a new tobacco control regime, which hides packs in cupboards until they are actually purchased. If young people can't see the packs before they buy them, how can it be argued they are being influenced by a trademark?"