Parliamentary.ai

Overview

This bill mandates that tobacco manufacturers print health warnings directly onto individual cigarettes and rolling papers in the UK. The warnings will rotate, covering a range of health risks and cessation advice, and cigarettes will be plain white.

Description

The Cigarette Stick Health Warnings Bill requires all cigarettes and rolling papers sold in England, Wales, and Scotland to comply with new regulations. These regulations stipulate that:

• Cigarette Appearance: The paper, casing, and filter must be plain white with a matte finish. The only permitted color is red, used for the text of the health warnings.
• Health Warnings: Each cigarette will display one of eight rotating health warnings, printed lengthways across the entire cigarette in Helvetica font. The Secretary of State can amend these warnings or the printing specifications via statutory instrument.
• Warning Rotation: Manufacturers must use a variety of specified warnings in a proportion determined by the Secretary of State. This ensures a rotation of messages to maximize impact.
• Enforcement: Weights and measures authorities will be responsible for enforcing the Act, drawing on existing powers under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
• Penalties: Breaching the act is a criminal offense, punishable by fines or imprisonment. A due diligence defense is available.

Government Spending

The bill does not specify direct government spending. However, there will be costs associated with enforcement by weights and measures authorities. The exact financial implications remain unclear.

Groups Affected

• Tobacco Manufacturers: Will face significant costs in redesigning production processes to comply with the new regulations.
• Smokers: Will be directly exposed to the health warnings, potentially influencing smoking habits.
• Weights and Measures Authorities: Will be responsible for enforcing the act, requiring additional resources.
• Retailers: May need to adjust their stock and handling procedures.