Anti-tobacco moves

Proposals to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes and moves to introduce a point-of-display ban have been unveiled on No Smoking Day.

A written ministerial statement from health secretary Andrew Lansley came as tobacco lobbyists and anti-smoking campaigners assessed the full extent of the government's proposals.

The Health Act 2009 passed by the New Labour government included plans to prevent retailers from displaying tobacco products.

The regulations implementing them have not yet been introduced, however. They were supposed to be phased in over the next two years but have now been put back by six months and 18 months respectively.

Meanwhile a consultation will take place on whether to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products, with a response from the government due by the end of 2011.