In an essay, Beware the Nanny State, in the July 2016 issue of the trade journal Tobacco Reporter , Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the UKs Institute of Economic Affairs, a free-market think-tank funded in part by the tobacco industry, claims that the introduction of plain packaging in Britain is infantilizing consumers by stripping them of their freedom to make their own decisions in accordance with their own judgment. He adds, These laws could boost organized crime, hamper investment, affect jobs and damage small businesses. That they might also save lives is none of his business
'It's a cost to individuals in terms of their health and wealth and a cost to us all because it undermines the productivity of our economy and places additional burdens on our NHS and care services.' An independent review by Dr Javed Khan, ordered by former health secretary Sajid Javid, was published last year and recommended a series of actions to help eradicate smoking in England
Because the prices of tobacco products are controlled by the state, they are the same throughout the country, with the exception of the Balearic Islands and Melilla, and range from 3.8 to 6 euros per pack
The new packaging doesn't feel 'flawed' like the old ones did
In contrast, nicotine replacement therapies (e.g., patch, gum, lozenge) and some prescription medications (i.e., varenicline, bupropion) have been evaluated by the FDA and found to be safe and effective at helping people quit smoking
