IF standardised packaging isn’t given the go-ahead in the UK (or by possible separate legislation in Scotland) tobacco packs will still change considerably in the next couple of years.
Under the provisions of the European Union Tobacco Products Directive changes will be made and restrictions put in place on everything from pack appearance to permissible sizes, quantities and flavours, probably from 2016.
Factory-made cigarettes will not be allowed to be sold in packs of less than 20. RYO tobacco will not be allowed to be sold in packs of less than 30g.
Packs will have to carry warnings featuring pictures and text that will cover 65% of the front and back and 50% of the sides of cigarette packs.
Flavoured cigarettes, including capsule cigarettes, will be banned although menthol cigarettes will be phased out over a four-year period.
