UK Will Ban 10-Pack Cigarettes and New Law Introduced To "Drab" Packaging

To curb cigarette smoking levels in the United Kingdom, the government will ban 10-pack cigarettes. Also, cigarette box packaging will be banned from having 'attractive' packaging. The boxes would have a uniform appearance covered with health warnings.

The 'standardisation' will ensure the packaging will have the same colour, opening mechanism and font. About 60 per cent of the casing will be covered by text and images with warnings and images of how smoking can affect your health.

By May 20, all cigarette manufacturers would have sold old stock of cigarettes.

May 15 the previous year, the EU Tobacco Products Directive had agreed to implement the new laws and policies on tobacco. The law would also ban flavoured and menthol tobacco.

The new laws were made in response to a review conducted by paediatrician Sir Cyril Chandler which guarantees that a change in packaging could create a "small dent" in the number of young people taking up smoking.

His research shows that young people smoke about 600 cigarettes per day.

Tobacco companies had heavily opposed the decision. However, the ECJ ruled the TPD was lawful and implemented the changes.

The 10-pack ban would also reduce the number of youth smokers by increasing the prices of tobacco.