To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence-based research his Department has considered in developing its policy on standardised packaging of cigarettes; and what conclusions he has drawn from the consideration of that evidence.

The Department commissioned a systematic review of evidence on standardised packaging. It was undertaken by academics at the university of Stirling, university of Nottingham and the Institute of Education, and published alongside the consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products in 2012.

The Government has decided to wait before commenting on the evidence base or making a final decision on standardised packaging. This allows time to benefit from the experience of Australia, where they introduced standardised packaging in December 2012.