Tobacco Facts.

A major provision of the United Kingdom Legislature’s latest anti-smoking plan has been put on hold after Lord Mandelson, UK Business Secretary, claimed it would destroy tobacco industry already hurt by the recession. Groundbreaking intention to oblige cigarette makers to pack their products in plain packages instead of colorful packs was expected to be adopted into a law in the mid-December.

The bill that could lead to cig packs having only a brand name on it without any logo or other symbols was named by the anti-smoking organizations a key element in protecting teenagers from taking up cigarettes.

However, the Business Secretary has called the government to delay the implementation of the bill declaring it would be highly ill-timed from the economic point of view.

The delay would permit Lord Mandelson to get into negotiations with Andy Burnham, UK Health Secretary, according to a spokesperson.

It is quite obvious that heads of ministries will discuss the inevitable consequences caused by the new requirements on the revenues of tobacco companies that spend billions each year on development of new products and their promotion, based on eye-catching packs besides other elements.

Secretary Mandelson has expressed his concerns that the law would have a huge effect on the industry and result in grave difficulties for the UK economy that is currently dealing with economic downturn.

According to the London Times the Business Department has temporarily blocked the bill, since they are trying to estimate the necessity and timeliness of that plan as well as its consequences.

The major issue the Department of Business is concerned with is the effect of the bill on the industry and numerous employees. They will as well offer alternative variants.

However, a revision of the bill will be controversial and doubtful.

Industry paper Tobacco Journal has stated that the prohibition of usage of logos such as the Camel or the Marlborough Man would dramatically hurt the industry’s profitability, but public health groups criticized the push-back.

Action on Smoking and Health vice president Diane Stewart declared they have been disappointed by the fact that tobacco lobbyists managed to persuade the government to delay the implementation of the ban and save the young generations from the appeal of brightly colored cigarette packs.

This is not a first time delay in a radical measure due to split among the members of the government.

Several years ago then Health Department Secretary Patricia Hewitt planned to implement a ban on smoking in enclosed public places, she was balked when John Reid, former home secretary opposed the ban claiming that people need a smoke after a hard working day.

The opposition was even supported by Tony Blair, however they had given up after a similar ban had been implemented in Scotland.

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