Notts consumers and businesses have been reminded by a local authority that new cigarette packaging laws are now in effect.
Cigarette packets must now by law be a ‘drab’ green-brown colour with large pictorial and text health warnings.
The packs will no longer be brightly coloured or feature well-known logos – the only branding on the packs will be the product name printed in a standard font and size.
The new regulations came into force in May 2016 which gave tobacco companies one year to make sure all packs on sale in the UK comply with the changes.
Trading standards manager at the council Claudine White said: “The new plain packaging changes aim to make smoking less enticing by removing the stylish branding and attractive colours to encourage people to give up.
“We are working with Public Health colleagues at the council to support local smokers to kick the habit and combating the problem of counterfeit tobacco is a key part of this.
“Counterfeit cigarettes undermine the government’s pricing policy to discourage people from smoking by making cigarettes and tobacco more cheaply available.”
The County Council’s Trading Standards officers will continue to investigate the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco and will also be checking that businesses comply with the new packaging requirements.
Failure to comply with the new legislation is an offence and can include imprisonment of up to two years if heard at Crown Court.
