Proposed by Councillor Anne McArdle

Seconded by Councillor Pat Glasman

This Council notes that:

·  smoking tobacco can cause serious and fatal disease and that the only way to reduce that risk is not to smoke

·  smoking is an addiction that starts in childhood with the vast majority of smokers starting before they are 18 years old

·  693 people in Wirral die from a smoking related disease every year

·  with advertising bans in place, tobacco manufacturers have increasingly focused on packaging design to make their products more appealing

·  published peer reviewed scientific research is clear that plain packs are less attractive especially to young people, strengthen the impact of health warnings and make packs less misleading to consumers

This Council believes that it is the responsibility of all levels of government to ensure good public health in the population.

This Council therefore resolves:

(1)  to request the Interim Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health, expressing these views and asking him to bring forward legislation to introduce standardised packaging of tobacco products to protect children and young people from aggressive tobacco marketing; and

(2)  to continue to promote good health in our Borough, by supporting initiatives designed to reduce local rates of smoking and to protect children and young adults from tobacco harm.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7 (2)

Proposed by Councillor Pat Williams

Seconded by Councillor Alan Brighouse

After, “It is the responsibility of all levels of government to ensure good public health in the population.” Add: “Therefore, Council welcomes, and urges a response, to the recent Government consultation, which runs until 10th August 2012, on standardised tobacco packaging, exploring whether action on tobacco packaging has the potential to bring public health benefits over and above those from current initiatives.“

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standard Order 7 (8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and carried (60:0) (one abstention)

The substantive motion was put and carried (60:0) (one abstention)

Resolved (60:0) (one abstention) –

Council notes that:

·  smoking tobacco can cause serious and fatal disease and that the only way to reduce that risk is not to smoke;

·  smoking is an addiction that starts in childhood with the vast majority of smokers starting before they are 18 years old;

·  693 people in Wirral die from a smoking related disease every year;

·  with advertising bans in place, tobacco manufacturers have increasingly focused on packaging design to make their products more appealing;

·  published peer reviewed scientific research is clear that plain packs are less attractive especially to young people, strengthen the impact of health warnings and make packs less misleading to consumers.

This Council believes that:

It is the responsibility of all levels of government to ensure good public health in the population. Therefore, Council welcomes, and urges a response, to the recent Government consultation, which runs until 10th August 2012, on standardised tobacco packaging, exploring whether action on tobacco packaging has the potential to bring public health benefits over and above those from current initiatives.

This Council therefore resolves:

(1)   to request the Interim Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health, expressing these views and asking him to bring forward legislation to introduce standardised packaging of tobacco products to protect children and young people from aggressive tobacco marketing; and

(2)   to continue to promote good health in our Borough, by supporting initiatives designed to reduce local rates of smoking and to protect children and young adults from tobacco harm.