MPs vote for standardised packaging of tobacco products

MPs have voted in favour of standardised tobacco packaging across the United Kingdom, with 367 votes in favour and 113 against in a free vote. After the announcement NHS England tweeted, “This is welcome news, a great moment for the nation’s children.”

The regulations will now go before the House of Lords for approval later this month and will require standardised packs to be used for all tobacco products from 2016. Under the proposed regulations all packaging of cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco will be dull brown on the outside and white on the inside. Only specified text such as the brand name and variant name will be allowed and must all be of the same type face, alongside prominent health warnings.

The …