MPs in support of alcohol and tobacco u-turns

The two separate proposals were shelved after concerns there was not enough evidence to suggest they would reduce binge drinking and the level of people taking-up smoking.

Sir Peter Bottomley and Tim Loughton, MPs for Worthing West and East Worthing and Shoreham, both believe the plans would not have worked.

Sir Peter said he believed there were better ways to deal with the issue of smoking than introducing plain packaging.

He said: “From 1946 to now, the proportion of men smoking fell from 82 per cent to 22 per cent, and that was before government intervention.

“I would urge people not to be the first to light up in a group, and never to smoke with a young person nearby, as it is mainly younger people who take-up smoking.”

The proposals are still under consideration, but would not be pushed through until more information was sought.

For the full story, see the Worthing and Shoreham Herald, out Thursday, July 25.