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Hands Off Our Packs is supported by adults from all walks of life. They include smokers and non-smokers who are sick of being patronised by the tobacco control industry.
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Over 235,000 petition against plain packaging
Huge protest against excessive regulation and the nanny state
Over 235,000 people have signed a petition against plain packaging of tobacco.
The petition, organised by the Hands Off Our Packs campaign, was delivered today to the Department of Health.
Standardised packaging of tobacco is the subject of a public consultation that closes on Friday 10th August.
The Hands Off Our Packs campaign was launched in February by the smokers’ lobby group Forest which opposes the idea.
Head of the campaign Angela Harbutt said:
"Plain packaging is not about health. It’s about denormalising a legal product and stigmatising millions of consumers.
"People aren't stupid. They know that if tobacco is sold in dull, drab packets then alcohol, fast food and fizzy drinks will also be targeted.
“Over two hundred thousand people have spoken and the message is clear. Plain packaging is not welcome in Britain.”
She added:
“We were overwhelmed with requests from retailers, packaging companies and private individuals asking for petition pads and postcards.
"The result is one of the largest ever protests against excessive regulation and the nanny state.”
Simon Clark, director of Forest, said:
“There is no evidence that standardised packaging will have any health benefits. Advocates base their arguments not on facts but on speculation.
"This and other petitions against plain packaging represent a huge setback for anti-tobacco campaigners who argue that the measure has overwhelming public support.
“Given the strength of opposition to plain packaging, from retailers and shop workers to police officers and consumers, we urge the Government to reject this ill-conceived idea.”
ends
Notes to editors:
1. The government began a 12-week consultation on standardised (or ‘plain’) packaging of tobacco on 16 April 2012. The consultation was due to end on 10 July 10. On 7 July the Department of Health announced a four-week extension to the consultation that now closes Friday 10 August.
2. The Hands Off Our Packs campaign is owned and managed by Forest with the support of British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco and Gallaher Limited. Forest represents adults who choose to consume tobacco and non-smoking adults who are tolerant of other people's consumption of tobacco.
3. Hi-res images of Hands Off Our Packs campaigners outside the Houses of Parliament are available to download and use here:
http://www.dandonovan.co.uk/HOOPS_HRES
Our Supporters
Last year the Government held a public consultation on whether the UK should adopt standardised (or 'plain') packaging of tobacco products. Over 235,000 people signed the Hands Off Our Packs petition. In total, around 500,000 people signed petitions against plain packaging, compared with 210,000 who signed petitions in favour of the measure. The Department of Health is still reviewing the consultation responses so watch this space. If you would like to receive e-updates about our campaign please enter your details below and click the relevant boxes for Forest/Hands Off Our Packs. You can unsubscribe at any time.
