MPs vote to introduce plain cigarette packaging

Japan Tobacco International (JTI), the company behind Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut, has said it considers plans for standardised cigarette packaging "unlawful" and will challenge the legislation in court.

In a statement issued after MPs voted to approve plain packaging in a free vote in the House of Commons, JTI's managing director Daniel Torras said the law had "been rushed through Parliament, with little regard for proper scrutiny and debate."

Controversial regulations enforcing standardised tobacco packaging have been approved by MPs by 367 to 113, in a landmark free vote in the House of Commons.

Peers will be asked to vote on the regulations on Monday and, if they approve them as expected, the new rules will come into force in May 2016.

The regulations have been bitterly opposed by some on the Conservative benches and the number of 'No' votes is higher than had been forecast.

David Cameron's official spokesman said: "The Prime Minister voted in favour of this change. He is pleased that it has gone through."

Asked if the PM was disappointed at the number of Conservative MPs voting against plain tobacco packaging, the spokesman said: "The whole point of a free vote is that people can express their views freely."

Public health minister Jane Ellison told the Delegated Legislation Committee the regulations for plain packets for cigarettes would bring the country "one step closer to our first smoke-free generation".

The Conservative frontbencher said she recognised concerns that standardised packaging for cigarettes could be a "slippery slope" towards a similar approach to other products such as junk food and alcohol.

MPs are to hold a crucial vote later on controversial plans to introduce plain cigarette packets.

Powers for standardising packaging were in the Children and Families Act 2014, but the Commons must approve bringing them into force.

The regulations were discussed and agreed by a committee earlier this week and will now be subject to a free vote on the floor of the House. But as they are not primary legislation, there will be no further debate.

There have been suggestions that more than 80 Tories could be among those opposing the plans - which critics argue will not prevent people smoking, are being introduced too hastily, and could confuse consumers.