Plain packaging for tobacco products

Thursday 06 July 2017

In a move intended to discourage islanders from smoking, a new law is being drafted that requires all tobacco products to be supplied in standardised plain packaging.

This week, instructions have been submitted to draw up the new law.

In giving reasons for his decision, the Minister for Health and Social Services, Senator Andrew Green, deemed the move to plain packaging "a priority for Jersey", adding that "it would be desirable to coordinate with Guernsey in developing regulations that ensure consistency in compliance for tobacco supplied to both Islands."

Plain packaging for tobacco has already been brought in in a number of jurisdictions, including Australia and England. The standardisation is intended to reduce "the promotion appeal of tobacco packaging".

This decision is part of the five-year 'Tobacco Strategy for Jersey' which aims to reduce smoking in the island, focusing on 'prevention', 'protection' and 'cessation'.

Although the overall smoking rate in Jersey is decreasing, this campaign is targeting young people to create "a smoke-free generation of islanders".

Pictured: According to the Tobacco Strategy 2017-2022, the number of smoke-free young people is on the up

Speaking at the time of the Tobacco Strategy's launch, the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst said: "We have a commitment across the States of Jersey to improve health and wellbeing and reduce preventable disease.

“We all need to understand that health is everyone’s business. Although much of the direct impact from tobacco is on health outcomes many of the actions required to reduce the health harms and associated costs are shared across government departments.

"This means the tobacco strategy requires strong partnership working between States Departments in recognition that working towards a community free from tobacco related harms is a social issue as well as a health issue.”

To read the full Tobacco Strategy plan, click here.