Local residents demand plain tobacco packaging to dissuade young smokers

Jolene Jenkinson her daughter Lucie Hilton and engagement team member Kim

More than 2,000 parents and residents in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale are demanding the end of glitzy cigarette packaging which attracts young people.

In total, 2,039 local residents have signed up to the Plain Packs Protect campaign to introduce plain tobacco packaging. The responses have been sent to Government and the Department of Health’s consultation results are expected in early 2013.

This mounting public support coincides with the introduction of standardised packaging in Australia from 1st December. Under the new law all tobacco packaging will be sold in drab, packs with large, shocking picture health warnings. The new law also means an end to slim ‘fashion’ cigarettes aimed at young women.

Dr Jane Rossini, Director of Public Health for NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, said: “The tobacco industry spends a lot of time and money targeting young people. They know they will then have many customers for life. The introduction of plain, standardised packaging would mean a victory for our children's health and a defeat for the tobacco industry.

“The response from the public in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale has been excellent. Many of the people who have signed up to the Plain Packs Protect campaign don’t smoke, but once they see some of the packs currently on sale, they understand how they appeal to young people as the 'silent salesman'”

International studies show plain packaging can reduce the attractiveness of smoking to young people, curb misleading messages that one cigarette is healthier than another and make picture health warnings more effective.

Rochdale mum, Jolene Jenkinson, signed up to the campaign saying: "I do think cigarette packets should be changed. It's clearly advertising and it brings kids into smoking. I wouldn't want my own kids to start smoking."

Jim Dobbin, MP for Heywood and Middleton said: “I fully support the idea of plain packaging for cigarettes. I firmly believe that putting all tobacco products in standardised packs will reduce their appeal to children and help lead to fewer young people becoming addicted to cigarettes. This will ultimately lead to a reduction in the number of smoking-related deaths in this country. I would urge the Government to introduce legislation for standard tobacco packaging at the earliest opportunity.”

Andrea Crossfield, Director of Tobacco Free Futures, said: “The introduction of plain, standardised packaging is a vital step in Australia to make tobacco less attractive to their children and young people. We would like to see this happen in the UK, where most smokers start as children. In the North West, more than 4 out of 5 of those who try smoking do so as children before they are aged 14.”

“The new packs are designed to have the lowest appeal - especially to non-smokers and children, and clearly show the death and disease smoking causes.

“Since the launch of the plain packs consultation in April, more than 63,000 people from across the North West have signed up to support the introduction of plain, standardised cigarette packaging. This is the largest number of people to sign up of any region in the country, which is testament to how passionate people in the North West are about making smoking history for children.”