UK may legislate for plain cigarette packaging

China News Service, March 13—According to foreign media reports, the UK House of Commons recently passed a bill by an overwhelming majority supporting the introduction of plain cigarette packaging in the UK. If the measure is also approved by the House of Lords, then starting in 2016, all cigarettes sold in the UK will have the same outer packaging except for the manufacturer and brand name, along with standardized health warnings.

The British government hopes to reduce the appeal of cigarettes by legislating standardized cigarette packaging design. Earlier this month, Ireland passed similar legislation, while Australia has implemented plain standardized cigarette packaging since 2012.