Our policy on standardised packaging for tobacco

If you or someone you know wants to stop smoking, there are a range of tools available to support you. Visit the NHS Better Health website to find out more.

On May 2016, standardised tobacco packaging was introduced across the UK. Following the removal of point of sale tobacco displays from shops, these measures will help end misleading tobacco marketing.

After a long campaign standardised packaging was introduced across the UK from May 2016. Two-thirds of people who smoke start by the age of 18 - the beginning of an addiction that will kill up to 2 in 3 long-term users. Standardised packaging of tobacco products will protect children from a deadly addiction and save lives. We are currently investing in research to evaluate the impact of standardised packaging in the UK.

Research shows that standard packs reduce the appeal of tobacco products to children and help demonstrate the realities of smoking by increasing the prominence of graphic health warnings. The introduction of standardised packaging in May 2016 follows the removal of point of sale tobacco displays from all shops in April 2015. Tobacco displays reinforce the social norms of smoking among young people.

Related documents

Market and tobacco industry response to standardised packaging in the UK (December 2020) – summary paper(PDF, 511 KB)

Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products (April 2015)(PDF, 591 KB)

Point of Sale Tobacco Displays (April 2015)(PDF, 643 KB)

Closing the Doors on Tobacco Promotion: an assessment of small retailer preparations for tobacco point of sale display removal (March 2015) - executive summary(PDF, 1.1 MB)

Closing the Doors on Tobacco Promotion: an assessment of small retailer preparations for tobacco point of sale display removal (March 2015) - full report(PDF, 2.01 MB)

Standardised Packaging: Overview (January 2015) - briefing(PDF, 590 KB)

Standardised Packaging: Overview (January 2015) - references(PDF, 191 KB)

Smuggling, the tobacco industry, and plain [standard] packs (November 2012) - executive summary(PDF, 5.88 MB)

Smuggling, the tobacco industry, and plain [standard] packs (November 2012) - full report(PDF, 6.19 MB)

Cancer Research UK response to the consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products (April 2012)(PDF, 719 KB)

Tobacco packaging written by the Centre for Tobacco Control Research (March 2012) - executive summary(PDF, 2.63 MB)

Tobacco packaging written by the Centre for Tobacco Control Research (March 2012) - full report(PDF, 3.92 MB)

Point of Sale Display of Tobacco Products, written by the Centre for Tobacco Control Research (August 2008)(PDF, 775 KB)

See also