Antismoking campaigners lambast packs of 14 cigarettes

The introduction of cigarette packs containing 14 cigarettes instead of the usual 20, which are being heavily marketed to the “price conscious” smoker, has been lambasted by an antismoking group as a “cynical ploy” to ensure that less well off smokers don’t give up smoking.

Five brands introduced packs of 14 onto the market in the United Kingdom in October, including Benson & Hedges, Silk Cut, and Mayfair. Their recommended retail price was as low as £3.82 (€4.34; $6.25).

The antismoking lobby group Action …