Anti-smoking groups celebrate vote to enforce standardised plain cigarette packaging

The regulations will now pass to the House of Lords, where a vote is expected to take place next week

MPs have voted in favour of plain cigarette packaging (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images)

Anti-smoking groups said they were “over the moon” as a vote to enforce standardised tobacco packaging was passed in the House of Commons.

Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) said plain packaging on tobacco products will protect the next generation from taking up the habit.

Deborah Arnott, its chief executive, said: “The Government, and MPs from all parties, are to be congratulated for resisting the bully-boy tactics and misinformation of the tobacco industry and for implementing the most important public health reform of this parliament.”

The regulations will now pass to the House of Lords, where a vote is expected to take place next week.

If passed, the new rules are expected to take effect from May next year.

David Cameron’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister voted in favour of this change. He is pleased that it has gone through.”

Asked if the PM was disappointed at the number of Conservative MPs voting against the reform, the spokesman said: “The whole point of a free vote is that people can express their views freely.”

PA