Luciana Berger MP, Shadow Public Health Minister, responding to the latest Department of Health consultation on standardised cigarette packaging, said:

“We welcome the publication of the draft regulations for standardised packaging of tobacco but this consultation is another delay. The Minister has already admitted the hold-up comes from Downing St. It raises further questions over the influence of David Cameron’s Chief Political Strategist and big tobacco lobbyist Lynton Crosby.

“Parliament has already voted in favour of standardised packaging, the public are behind it and the independent evidence review supports it. Almost 50,000 children have taken up smoking since the Government said it would publish the regulations; thousands more will do so whilst it carries out yet another consultation.  

"David Cameron must stop putting his lobbyist friends first and ensure
that standardised packaging is in place as soon as possible.”