Last minute plea to help no smoking campaign (From This is The West Country)

Last minute plea to help no smoking campaign

2:47pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in Cornwall

PEOPLE across Cornwall have just hours left to back a major campaign to help stop children across the region from becoming the next generation of smokers.

Cancer Research UK is issuing a rallying cry for people to sign a petition in support of the charity's The answer is plain initiative, which calls for cigarette packets to be stripped of their seductive branding.

The plea comes as a UK-wide consultation on whether all tobacco products should be sold in packs of uniform, size shape and design along with big health warnings - otherwise known as 'plain packs' - is due to close on Friday.

The charity believes that plain packs are vital to help discourage young people from starting to smoke, as research shows that the striking logos and distinctive designs of current cigarette packets make them more appealing to children.

Alison Birkett, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson for the South West, said: “Now that advertising tobacco is illegal, the tobacco industry is relying more and more on glitzy packs to recruit the 100,000 new smokers they need to replace those who die from the habit each year in the UK.

“That's why we're making an urgent appeal for people to sign our petition and help stop the tobacco industry peddling its deadly wares in a way children find so alluring.

“This is not about curbing the freedoms of existing adult smokers; it's about giving kids one less reason to start smoking in the first place.”

People in the South West are urged to sign Cancer Research UK's petition for plain packaging on cigarettes before the end of today at www.theanswerisplain.org.