it is believed to be a reason for 340,000 children and young people in england trying to smoke each year. the launch of the national consultation on plain packaging was earlier in summer, and there is still time as the deadline for submitting viewpoints is on 10th august. the effectiveness of plain packaging will be determined by the consultation for decreasing the number of young people who start smoking. with the passing of the new plain packaging law in the uk, glitzy cigarette brands will come to an end. earlier this year, the health secretary was compelled by the overpowering votes of wigan council members for considering legislation to launch plain packs for tobacco products. a lively debate at full council in wigan town hall was held in march on the health promotion and need to reduce smoking in society, wherein elected members participated. a strong signal of leading from the front was sent by councillors of wigan to support the motion. the government&rsquos consultation is supported by wigan and leigh tobacco control alliance in the case of plain tobacco packaging and inspiring the public for the same. cabinet portfolio holder for healthier communities, keith cunliffe, explained that plain packaging for tobacco products have complete support from the tobacco control alliance and wigan council. as the first local authority in england and wales, wigan council passed a motion in backing the uniform packaging campaign. he wishes he had never started smoking and says that to reduce the harm from smoking, they need to work rigidly to stop young people from indulging in the habit. as a result, this is the aim of the campaign. young people are clearly attracted by the current packaging design. with the help of uniform packaging, tobacco companies will stop making packets that seem like digital cameras and perfume boxes, and packaging will be used more as a marketing tool. due to advertising bans, packaging design is the main focus for tobacco manufacturers to increase the attractiveness of their products. in order to decrease the charm of tobacco products that lure children and young people, standardised packaging is required. with this new legislation, children will be discouraged to smoke, while the tobacco packaging will be less attractive, have effects of more health warnings and prevent misconceptions that some cigarettes are less injurious than others due to colours and branding. signing up on tobacco free futures can help in supporting or responding to the consultation. each year, 1827 people die of smoking related diseases in wigan borough, wherein more than 609 of every 100 thousand population is aged above 35. adult smoking rates are nearly 50 percent, among the population of some of the most underprivileged communities in the borough. earlier this year, the director of public health for wigan borough, dr kate ardern, stated that wigan borough stands among the highest rates of smoking prevalence in the region, and therefore, they are liable to exemplify by sending out this message. tobacco free futures is a leader in the campaign of plain packs protect in the north west. its director, andrea crossfield, stated that the support of wigan council is the first and excellently led by cllr cunliffe and dr ardern. they desire that people should support plain packaging and discourage smoking for children through the signing up of the consultation online. source of information httpwww.manchester.towntalk.co.uknewsd28746plaintalkingdeadlineontobaccopac…
