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This strand of the Government’s tobacco control programme concerns regulating tobacco products through the labelling of packaging, regulating contents and emissions of tobacco products, and controlling the sale of tobacco to young people under the mininum age.
The Tobacco Products (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale)(Safety) Regulations 2002 legislated for larger, hard-hitting health warnings on tobacco packs and these were introduced in 2003. The regulations also prohibited misleading terms such as low-tar, mild and light from tobacco packs. These regulations were required for the UK to comply with a 2001 European Directive on tobacco products and labelling.
On 29 August 2007, we announced the introduction of picture warnings under the Tobacco Products (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2007. They started appearing on tobacco products from the Autumn of 2008. Under transitional arrangements all cigarette packs will have to carry picture warnings by 1 October 2009, and all other tobacco products by 1 October 2010.
The UK is the first country in the EU to require picture warnings on all tobacco products. The images were chosen from an EU photo library on the basis on market research and public consultation. Most people opted for the more shocking images. Research from Canada, where picture warnings have been required for several years, demonstrates that they are highly effective in encouraging people to quit smoking.
On 1 October 2008 the UK introduced new graphic picture warnings to cigarette packets.
The new warnings, which include pictures of rotting teeth and lungs, throat cancer, and a 'flaccid cigarette', will replace the written warnings on the back of packets, which were introduced in January 2003.
By 1 October 2009 all cigarette packs sold in the UK must feature the warnings. This is to allow enough time for introducing the new warnings and sell-through of existing stock. All other tobacco products will have to be sold with picture warnings by 1 October 2010.
Written warnings have been a huge success. Since their introduction five years ago, more than 90,000 smokers have been motivated by the warnings to call the NHS Smoking Helpline (0800 022 4 332).
Despite much progress over the past 10 years, which has resulted in 1.9 million fewer smokers since 1982, smoking continues to be the biggest killer in England and causes the premature death of over 87,000 people each year in England alone.
The visual wake-up calls are expected to be even more effective than written warnings. Research suggests that warnings should be changed periodically to maintain effectiveness, and smokers are more likely to remember the damage they are doing to their health if they have seen a picture.
The regulations also set new requirements for the maximum yields of tar (10mg), carbon monoxide (10mg) and nicotine (1mg) in cigarettes. Manufacturers and importers of tobacco products also have to annually inform the Government of all the non-tobacco ingredients in each brand, along with relevant toxicological information.
During summer 2006, the Government consulted on changing the minimum age of sale for tobacco and on tougher sanctions against retailers for breaking the law. Following this consultation, the age of sale for tobacco will be raised from 16 to 18 from 1 October 2007.
Legislation is currently before Parliament to introduce a system of negative licensing of tobacco retailers. If this legislation receives royal assent, tobacco retailers who repeatedly flout the law on age of sale of tobacco will be liable to orders prohibiting them from selling tobacco for periods of up to a year.
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