WHAT IS NIGERIA DOING IN THIS REGARD?,

 How cigarette packets might look under government plans to use gruesome images to put people off smoking

• Plain packets could become law before May 2015, Number 10 suggests 
• Ministers say it will drive a ‘modest but important reduction’ in smoking 
• Drab brown packets will have to be covered in gruesome health warnings 
• Cancer charities urge government to 'move quickly' after repeated delays
  Cigarettes will have to be sold in drab brown packets covered in gruesome health warnings under new government plans to curb smoking.
  Pictures were released today of how the new ‘standardised’ packaging could look, as ministers said they were committed to banning tobacco branding as soon as possible.
  Health minister Jane Ellison said the change would drive a ‘modest but important reduction’ in smoking rates, by making the packets less attractive to the next generation of smokers.
  
  
  

  Plain packets have been a millstone for the government which has been accused of delaying on the issue due to the influence of tobacco lobbyists - including Tory election strategist Lynton Crosby.

  But David Cameron’s spokesman suggested it would be law before the election next May. He said: ‘The Prime Minister is committed to the implementation of this. It’s the right thing to do.’

  Health charities welcomed the new draft regulations, which have been put out for a six-week consultation, but insisted ministers should act immediately to implement them.

   

  
  

  A consultation was launched two years ago, but minsters took no further action, to the anger of experts who say brightly coloured packages are the last marketing ploy tobacco companies use to lure people to their products. 

  Two thirds of UK smokers say they started before the age of 18. 

  Tobacco companies claimed the packets would be easy to counterfeit and lead to a flood of fake cigarettes.

  But an independent review earlier this year found the evidence from Australia – where plain packets have been used for 18 months – has not led to a noticeable increase in tobacco smuggling.

  In December 2012, Australia became the first country in the world to put all tobacco products in standardised packs, with no logos, brand imagery, symbols, other images, colours or promotional text.

  
  

  Health minister Jane Ellison said the change would drive a ‘modest but important reduction’ in smoking rates, by making the packets less attractive to the next generation of smokers

  All tobacco products there portray gruesome images including people dying of cancer, diseased feet and sick babies.

  The consultation released by the Department of Health said all cigarettes must be in ‘drab brown packets with a matt finish’, and just contain the brand name in a standard size and font.

  Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: ‘After much dithering and delay the regulations to make it happen have finally been published for consultation, but time is running out if they are to be voted on by Parliament before the General Election.

  ‘With every day's delay hundreds more children start smoking and the tobacco industry's continuing influence at the heart of Government becomes more and more obvious.’

  Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: ‘We're delighted that the Government has, at the eleventh hour, published the draft regulations. We must move quickly from here. 

  'The initial consultation into standard packs in the UK began over two years ago, and every single day since then hundreds more children have started smoking.’

  Miss Ellison, the public health minister said: ‘We are minded to introduce regulations to provide for standardised packaging of tobacco products.

  'It is vital that any decision is properly and fully informed. The consultation includes a set of draft regulations so it is clear how such a policy would work in practice.’ 

  Cigarettes already have to be sold under-the-counter in supermarkets, rather than displayed. And these rules will apply to small shops from next April.

  In a separate European Union tobacco law, which Britain has to adopt by May 2016, all packets will have to contain a minimum of 20 cigarettes.

  MPs have also recently voted to ban smoking in cars while children are present, as they say the tobacco fumes are many times more dangerous in confined spaces.