Skip to Content

New laws on packaging for cigarettes.

New laws to standardise cigarette packaging have been given the go ahead by MPs.

From 2016 all brands of cigarettes sold in the UK will look the same; the packaging will carry the brand name of the maker with images of illnesses associated with smoking, health warnings and the content breakdown of the cigarette.

The new law needs to pass through the House of Lords but that is seen as a formality.

In a free vote in the House of commons 367 Mps voted in favour of the new laws with 113 against.

The UK are the third country to introduce the new packaging, behind Australia and Ireland, having declared that it would consider the changes the government ran a consultation in 2012, since then the new law change seemed to flounder amid accusations of interference, which prompted a review which concluded that the changes would see a reduction in smoking.

The review highlighted the uptake of smoking in children and concluded that the change could see a fall of 2%, with the removal of brand designs making the packets less appealing.

The moves have been widely applauded, with some considering the changes to be the most important health changes during this parliament.

Some concerns we raised about the timing of the measure so close to the end of parliament, and the smoking lobby group said the measures would not make any difference, and mentioned that consideration perhaps should be given to standardising alcohol packaging.

The latest amendment to the Children's and Families Bill comes on the back of a Labour led change passed a week earlier which empowers ministers to make it a criminal offence to smoke in privately owned cars whilst in the company of children if ministers decide to in the future.

As this has received backing through parliament we would expect that it will become Law in the not too distant future.

Image Description
related news
recent articles
Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

Wilful Neglect.

Social workers could face up to five years in jail should they prove guilty of wilful neglect towards children, if consultation decides to extend the law to inc..

Consumer rights at Christmas returning gifts

We have all been there, that jumper from Uncle Tom with a reindeer on it just will not cut it and its four sizes too small, the electric car you bought online g..

Plea services launched online.

Plea services launched on-line for motoring offences -
The Government has launched a new service that allows motorists charged with summary offences to enter a..

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Children and the Law - Car Safety

Up until a child reaches the age of 12, or 135 cm, a child must use a booster or car seat, when a child is not required to use a car seat or booster they must,..

Children and the Law Leaving a child at home.

There is no age laid down by the law stating when your child is old enough to be left home alone; however, it is against the law to leave a child home alone if..

Computer & IT Law

Computer and IT Law.
Computer Law is concerned with controlling and securing information stored on and transmitted between computers. Computer networks contain..

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' l..

link

Cautions, warnings and penalty notices.

Police cautions and warnings are the same and can be issued to anyone over the age of ten for minor offences, whilst this does not count as a conviction it can..

Criminal Law

..

The law on Cannabis.

Anyone found in possession of cannabis could be liable to a fine or a prison sentence, cannabis is classed as a B category drug in the UK and is illegal...

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top