The idea of introducing plain packaging for cigarettes is likely to lead to a rise in youth smoking, according to a report by Adam Smith Institute, a free market think-tank.
The report insists that the replacement of all brand packaging of cigarettes with a plain packaging supported by graphic health warnings could encourage the black market demand, leading to more access of tobacco for the young, politics.co.uk reported.
Author of the report, Chris Snowdon said the government is proclaiming itself against regulation behaving paternally.
"It seems that fanaticism has become institutionalised and a handful of extremists have become the de facto policy makers in matters related to tobacco. The public are gradually waking up to the fact that these neo-prohibitionists will never be satisfied," Snowdon said.
Recently, a similar policy was approved in Australia, which has been legally challenged by tobacco giants Japan Tobacco, Phillip Morris and others. The policy is set to come into effect by end of this year.
