North West residents help secure biggest regional response to end glitzy cigarette packaging

Thousands of North West residents played a key role in securing the biggest regional response to a national campaign that has called for the end of colourful cigarette packaging that targets young people.

At time of print, more than 63,000 responses have been collected in the North West as part of the Plain Packs Protect campaign – more than any other region in the UK.

The campaign calls for the introduction of plain packaging to reduce the attractiveness of smoking to young people; curb misleading health messages and increase the prominence of the picture health warnings on packs.

The responses will feed into the wider Government consultation on plain, standardised tobacco packaging which ends on the 10^th August.

Bury mum Danielle Eyres who signed up to the Plain Packs Protect campaign which has been led in the North West by Tobacco Free Futures said: “I really don’t want my kids to smoke and I do think cigarette packets influence kids,”

“The packets look nice and are attractive. I really don’t want my kids to smoke. I do think they should change the packaging.”

As part of the campaign residents were shown examples of how cigarette brands lure children and young people to start smoking by adopting glamorous and glitzy packaging to make them look like perfume, gadgets and mobile phones.

Peter Elton, Lead DPH for tobacco in Greater Manchester said: “It is clear that most people support plain packaging and it’s been very encouraging to see residents respond with such enthusiasm.  Very few people oppose such a sensible approach.  

“We welcome this measure which will save lives and turn off the tap of new young smokers.”

Andrea Crossfield, Director of Tobacco Free Futures said: “There has been a huge public response in support of plain, standardised packaging which shows there is overwhelming support to protect children from a life time of addiction and ultimately make smoking history for children. We are proud that the people of the North West chose to come out in force and support such an important health campaign.”

Ends

Notes to editor

• Nationally, the Plain Packs Protect campaign is supported by a coalition of organisations including Action for Smoking and Health (ASH), Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.
• Tobacco Free Futures is a collaborative programme which works in diverse and innovate ways to make smoking history for children.  Tobacco Free Futures has achieved a great deal locally, regionally and nationally, in reducing smoking prevalence rates and protecting children and adults from tobacco harm. www.tobaccofreefutures.co.uk