Skip to main content

Independent review into standardised tobacco packaging

The Smokefree Action Coalition welcomed the publication of the independent review of evidence undertaken by Sir Cyril Chantler on standardised packaging on 03 April 2014, known as the Chantler Review.

Speaking in the commons, Jane Ellison MP, Minister for Public Health said that the report found it was “very likely to have a positive impact” on public health. New regulations mandating standardised ‘plain’ packaging of tobacco products came into effect in May 2016.

The consultation followed Parliamentary support for the inclusion of enabling legislation on standardised packaging in the Children and Families Bill. In the Lords this happened without a vote, the vote in the House of Commons was overwhelmingly in support of standardised packaging as well as proxy purchasing and an age of sale for e-cigarettes of 18 with 453 in favour and only 24 against. You can find out how your MP voted here.

Evidence submissions

ASH gave evidence to the inquiry by Sir Cyril Chantler, which you can read here.

The Chantler Review asked the Coalition to provide oral evidence and provide a brief submission. The following experts provided oral evidence on behalf of the Coalition:

  • Fiona Andrews, Director, Smokefree Southwest;
  • Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive, ASH;
  • Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive, British Heart Foundation;
  • Luk Joossens, Advocacy Officer of the Association of European Cancer Leagues;
  • Sarah Woolnough, Executive Director of Policy & Information, Cancer Research UK.

ASH also provided a critique of the tobacco industry’s evidence which you can read here (PDF).