THE European Parliament has approved the revised EU Tobacco Products Directive (EUTPD).
The development confirms an EU-wide ban on packs of less than 20 cigarettes and of less than 30g of rolling tobacco. Picture and text health warnings will have to cover 65% of the front and back of packs and 50% of side panels.
Flavoured tobacco products and capsule cigarettes will also be banned when the measures are enacted.
Daniel Torras, UK managing director for JTI, said: “The announcement from the EU is a gift for criminal gangs across the UK.
“This ban will mean the lowest price will now be the street price sold by criminals who peddle to anyone, including children.
“Meanwhile, the UK Government’s exchequer will have to plug the gap left as more and more smokers are tempted to buy the illegal un-taxed cigarettes and roll your own tobacco which will flood the UK. We now urge them to make a stand and put in place the resource that is going to be needed to stop this influx.”
