Regulations enforcing standardised tobacco packaging have been approved by MPs by 367 to 113, majority 254, in a free vote in the House of Commons.
Peers will be asked to vote on the regulations on Monday and, if they approve them, the new rules will come into force in May 2016. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We have consistently told Ministers and policy makers that the introduction of standardised packaging will place significant operational burdens on retailers. We are disappointed with this decision, and would have liked to see a review of existing and upcoming tobacco control measures, such as the tobacco display ban, before the Government introduce more regulations on small stores.”
Primary legislation enabling the Government to introduce standardised packaging has already been passed during the Children and Families Act, meaning a full debate of parliament was not required.
