100% plain packaging a step closer after tobacco regulation agreement

Plain packaging of tobacco products is a step closer after national governments agreed a range of measures with the European Parliament.

Sixty five per cent of tobacco packs will be covered by graphic warnings, paving the way for member states to go the extra step and regulate 100% of the pack; there will be an immediate ban on flavourings in cigarettes, with a menthol ban phased in from 2020; and lipstick and perfume packs will be banned.

E-cigarettes will be regulated, having to meet certain quality and safety standards, including a strength limit. If companies claim e-cigarettes help smokers quit, they will have to seek a medicines licence. And issues such as age limits and where e-cigarettes can be sold will be decided by national governments.

Linda McAvan MEP, the European Parliament lead negotiator (rapporteur) on the tobacco directive, said: "We know it is children, not adults, who start smoking. And despite the downward trend in most European countries of adult smokers, the World Health Organization figures show worrying upward trends across most of Europe in the number of young smokers.

"We need to stop tobacco companies targeting young people with an array of gimmicky products, particularly flavoured cigarettes and lipstick and perfume packs. Four thousand British children start smoking each week - that's a staggering 200,000 new childhood smokers a year.

"More than 700,000 people a year die in the European Union as a result of smoking and 70% of those started smoking before the age of 18. Nearly half of all smokers will die from a smoking related disease and tobacco is still the leading cause of preventable premature deaths across Europe.

"Today’s vote is an important step towards preventing children taking up smoking."

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