UK aims to pass law to ban branding on cigarette packs before May
By Andrew Osborn LONDON (Reuters) – The British government plans to introduce a law before May forcing tobacco firms to sell cigarettes in plain packets without branding in England, ending years of debate and lobbying. The move, aimed at improving public health and cutting the number of child smokers, is likely to crimp tobacco firms' profits and would emulate Australia, which two years ago enacted a groundbreaking law forcing cigarettes to be sold in plain olive green packaging with images showing the damaging effects of smoking. Cigarette sales have dropped in Australia since plain packaging was introduced on Dec. 1, 2012, prompting Britain to act before its national election in May even as Australia battles international legal challenges from other countries and manufacturers. Jane Ellison, a junior minister in Britain's health ministry, said introducing plain packaging was "a proportionate and justified response" because of the health risks associated with smoking.
