Cigarettes to be sold in plain, grey, logo-free packets Sale of tobacco from vending machines to be banned Smoking to be banned at entrances to buildings Plans to cut the number of smokers by pressurising them not to light up at home and in cars have been unveiled. The Government’s ‘tobacco control strategy’ also proposes banning smoking at entrances to buildings and selling cigarettes in plain grey packets as part of a series of policies aimed at halving the number of smokers by 2020. The plans were dismissed as ‘ meddlesome’ and ‘unworkable’ by critics. But Health Secretary A ... Jump to full article >>

British American Tobacco PLC warned Sunday that the U.K. government faces a “huge fight” from the tobacco industry if it moves ahead with plans under consideration that would only allow cigarettes to be sold in plain, unbranded packages. A spokeswoman said the government measures, due to be announced in a Monday speech by Health Secretary Andy Burnham, would encourage criminals to mass produce fake products since there would be no way for a purchaser to differentiate one brand from another, resulting in the “perverse outcome” of cigarettes becoming more accessible to yo ... Jump to full article >>