Ban on cigarette 10-packs delayed

A Government ban on packs of 10 cigarettes, due to come into law today, has been delayed by the tobacco industry.

Anti-smoking campaigners want to outlaw the 10-packs in a bid to stop schoolchildren picking up the habit.

However the tobacco industry have advised the Health Department that there are logistical difficulties in complying immediately with the ban.

A department spokesperson said: “Submissions were received on behalf of the tobacco industry which indicated that there would be logistical problems with the introduction of the ban on this date as stocks of packaging material have already been ordered and stocks of tobacco products have already been manufactured and are in the distribution chain.

“These representations are being considered and while no final decision has yet been made, the ban will not be introduced with effect from October 2.”

Similar difficulties arose in recent years with the phasing out of tobacco brand descriptions such as ’light’ and ’mild’.

The Office of Tobacco Control has found that packs of 10 cigarettes are popular with 75% of young smokers and has been urging the Government to introduce the ban.

The restriction is already provided for in the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002.