Pro-tobacco UK lobby group Forest says its petition against plain tobacco packaging now has more than 100,000 signatures.
 
It also claims that more than 50,000 people have personally written to the Prime Minister opposing the initiative. Simon Clark, Director of the smokers’ group Forest which runs the ‘Hands Off Our Packs’ campaign, said: “The response demonstrates the enormous level of opposition to this ill-conceived measure. We urge the prime minister to think again.
 
“There’s no evidence standardised packaging will have any health benefits. Advocates base their arguments not on facts but on speculation. There must be no rush to legislation. It’s a huge step and no government should take it lightly.
 
“The UK government should not be gold plating EU regulations. Before introducing plain packaging ministers should wait and study the effectiveness of the EU’s revised Tobacco Products Directive that includes larger health warnings.
 
“There is genuine concern that if plain packaging is introduced for tobacco, the same could happen to alcohol, sugary drinks and confectionery.
 
“Government has to get off people’s backs and trust the consumer to make informed choices without unnecessary and unwelcome state intervention.”