DAVID CAMERON faces Conservative anger over his decision to push through the Commons without a proper debate laws forcing cigarette firms to use plain packaging.
The controversial plans, which critics say will give a boost to smugglers and organised crime, will be discussed by a committee of MPs handpicked by party whips tomorrow.
The measures are then expected to be passed on Wednesday in a “deferred division” that sees MPs voting by paper slip without a debate in the Commons chamber.
Up to 100 Conservatives are opposed to plain packaging and there is resentment over what are seen as underhand tactics aimed at avoiding a big row weeks before the election.
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Parliamentary rules state the measure needs to be discussed only at a delegated legislation committee because MPs have already voted on the principle.
However, MPs have been given time in the Commons in the past to discuss such “statutory instruments” on controversial measures such as counterterrorism and university tuition fees.
Plain cigarette packs will come in next year if, as expected, they are backed by MPs and the Lords.
Nick de Bois, a secretary of the 1922 committee of backbench Conservatives, has led parliamentary opposition to plain packaging and said the prime minister should allow MPs to have their say.
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“This is the wrong way to go about passing laws like this and because there is significant opposition to it, debate should not be restricted,” he said.
The MP has been placed on the delegated legislation committee despite his opposition to plain packs, but he accepts there is no real prospect of defeating the measure with Labour whipping its MPs to back it.
Health campaigners say plain packs reduce smoking, partly by stopping young people taking up the habit. Last week Ireland voted to introduce them.
Tobacco giants point to studies conducted for them by the consultant KPMG stating that the consumption of illicit products in Australia rose from 11.5% of the market in 2012, when the packs came in there, to 14.3% last year.