HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND – The British House of Lords voted earlier this week to allow the government to implement standardized tobacco packaging, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) announced in a press release.
The legislation also stipulated that U.K. ministers could impose standardized packing in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
If approved by the House of Commons, the measure would give ministers the ability to impose standardized tobacco rules through regulations. However, whether the ministers exercise these powers is subject to a Government review of the recommendations of the Chantler Review into the likely health impact of the measure.
Health Minister Lord Howe expressed the issues that the ministers will look at in considering whether to use these powers. “[They] must consider that regulations may contribute at any time to reducing the risk of harm to those under 18 or promote their health or welfare. This includes harms that do not appear until later in life because, as we know, the harm to the health of a smoker may not be immediate but may manifest after several years of addiction. Ministers may also consider whether regulations may contribute to reducing the risk of harm to those aged 18 or over, so we could also take into account whether standardized tobacco packaging might help adults who want to quit.”
The ACS is submitting recommendations to the Chantler Review and ministers as to the likely business impacts that standardized packaging will create. It will draw on the experience of retailers in Australia, where standardized packaging was implemented in December 2012.
“It’s a disappointment that Lords have decided to grant such sweeping powers to ministers on a policy that is not Government policy and still subject to an independent review,” said ACS Chief Executive James Lowman. “We remain focused on setting out the evidence about the regulatory burden that standardized packaging will impose on thousands of convenience retail businesses.”
The Children and Families Bill will now progress to Third Reading in the House of Lords and then will be subject to approval in the House of Commons before it becomes legislation. The Chantler Review is expected to report to ministers in March 2014.