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Commenting on the government’s decision to postpone the introduction of standardised packaging for cigarettes, Mark Littlewood, Director General at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:

“It’s encouraging that the government has finally seen sense. Far from having a positive impact on health, plain packaging would be a boon for the black market and could potentially have done enormous harm to small businesses and economic growth.

“Excessive regulation, all too often rampant in our society, has been stopped in its tracks. Hopefully this will mark a turning point against the excessive elements of the health lobby whose desire to interfere knows no bounds.

“Australia have stupidly volunteered to be a guinea pig and it is quite right that we wait for at least a scrap of evidence on the effects of plain packaging. The government should be applauded for rowing back on this absurd policy.”

Notes to Editors:

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