Smoking law changes – everything you need to know about soaring prices and menthols being phased out
NEW laws mean the cost of smoking will rise and menthols will begin to be phased out in a matter of weeks in an attempt to encourage people to quit smoking.
From May this year smaller packs of rolling tobacco will be outlawed and ten packs will be banned - meaning the cost of the cheapest packet will increase.
The cheapest packet of cigarettes will cost £8.82 as part of the efforts to try and discourage smoking.
Packets will also be plain, with graphic images showing the impact that tobacco has on people's health.
Under new tobacco laws, smaller bags (under 30g) of roll-your-own tobacco and ten-packs of cigarettes will be banned from May 21.
The government started phasing out the fags last May when packaging was standardised but shops have had a year to get rid of old stock.
The ban includes some flavoured cigarettes and roll-you-own tobacco, including fruit, spice, herbs, alcohol, candy or vanilla.
A complete ban on menthol-flavoured cigarettes is set for May 20, 2020, with the gradual phasing out of the products beginning next month.
Menthol cigarettes are flavoured with compound menthol, a substance which triggers cold-sensitive nerves in the skin without actually providing a drop in temperature.
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According to charity Action on Smoking and Health, the gradual phase-out was started to deter future generations from smoking.
Speaking to the , Action on Smoking and Health spokesperson Amanda Sandford said: "Cigarettes are already expensive and the price increase of cigarettes is a key factor in making people quit smoking.
"So by removing the packet of ten cigarettes this means people will have to find that extra money for a packet.
“It will hit poorer and younger smokers harder who are more likely to buy smaller packs.”
"Paying £3 or £4 for a packet of ten cigarettes at the moment might not seem so much to people and still leave them with change in their pockets.
"But when you have to spend £6/£7 even £9 people may think, 'Do I really need this packet?'
Packs of hand-rolled tobacco smaller than 30 grams will also be phased out in May.
Amanda continued: "This is again to deter people as they will have to spend more.
"At the moment people are able to buy it in packets of 10g, 20g and so on."
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