Luciana Berger MP, Labour’s Shadow Public Health Minister, responding to the Government announcement that they will bring forward regulations relating to standardised packaging of tobacco, said: “We welcome the announcement that the Government will finally bring forward regulations on standardised packaging of tobacco. However, it was almost a year ago that MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of this measure and the delay is inexcusable.    “Labour originally proposed the introduction of standardised packaging as a vital way to prevent children taking up smoking.  “Standardised packaging of tobacco is backed by the conclusions of the Government’s own reviews, and has the support of public and Parliament alike. Yet the Government has taken almost a year to make this next step and in that time 200,000 children would have taken up smoking.    “The Government must now press ahead without delay to ensure that this vital measure is introduced as soon as possible.”