Big tobacco companies have warned that plain packaging regulations could force manufacturers to remove security coding designed to prevent counterfeit cigarettes. The rules, which are due to be voted in by MPs today and introduced next year, do not allow for anything on the pack not required by law, effectively banning “track and trace” coding.
Although track and trace will be mandatory under the European Union’s Tobacco Products Directive, it is not due to become law until May 2019, so, technically, the authentication system voluntarily operated by the industry in conjunction with HM Revenue & Customs would have to be discontinued until then.
Tobacco manufacturers are calling on the government to delay implementation of plain packaging until 2020 so that they can continue to track their products and combat the illegal trade.
JTI, which makes Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut, accused the government of “using the general election as the finishing line” to hurry the policy along and “stifle debate . . . giving little opportunity for opposing views to be aired”.
HMRC did not comment.
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Manufacturers have warned that they could sue the government if plain packaging is passed into law.