Queen's Speech: what's in, what's not
Quick update on the plain packaging saga:
Guardian political editor Patrick Wintour (the man who brought us the news that plain packaging would be in the Queen's Speech) now reports that Queen's Speech to contain legislation on pensions, social care and benefits but not, it seems, plain packaging.
Meanwhile the tobacco control industry continues to thrash around with the support of its cheerleaders in the media, notably the Independent (Doctors condemn Government's decision to hold plans for plain cigarette packaging) which also has a leader urging the prime minister to change his mind.
In a press release ASH claimed that:
Since the launch of the public consultation on standard tobacco packaging in April 2012 there has been a groundswell of support for the measure with nearly two-thirds of the public and a majority of MPs across all political parties in favour.
Groundswell of support? Would that be the 500,000 people who opposed plain packaging in a pubic consultation compared to the estimated 220,000 who supported it?
The health groups say that if the Government will not go ahead with the introduction of standardised packaging then Parliament should decide in a free vote as was the case with smoke-free legislation. The Labour Party has already committed to supporting the measure.
Odd, isn't it, that Labour didn't introduce plain packaging when they were in power. They considered it but backed off because there was no evidence it would work.
There is still no credible evidence that plain packaging will stop children smoking but, politics being such an unscrupulous business, it makes sense for Labour to embrace the measure in Opposition and accuse the Government of abandoning its commitment to public health etc etc.
Finally, there's a good article on the Channel 4 News website, with input from Forest – Ifs and butts of the fag packet argument – FactCheck.
Update: Coalition to dump cigarette plain packs? (AOL Money)
Update: Anger at dropped fag pack proposal (The Sun)