EFFECT OF THE TOBACCO PRODUCTS LABELLING (SAFETY) REGULATIONS 1991

That this House views with the gravest concern the decision by Her Majesty's Government to table the Tobacco Products Labelling (Safety) Regulations 1991 which introduce new health warnings on packets of cigarettes produced by United Kingdom manufacturers that will have the effect of putting such manufacturers at a serious disadvantage against foreign manufacturers who export to the United Kingdom; notes with disbelief that this discrimination arises from the fact that the regulations will permit importers to use less stringent regulations currently applicable in other European Community countries concerning the size and wording of health warnings; draws attention to the serious effect this trading disadvantage will have on the employment in United Kingdom manufacturing plants; and calls on the Government to take action to stem the export of manufacturing plants; and calls on the Government to take action to stem the export of United Kingdom jobs to foreign countries by withdrawing the regulations and replacing them with regulations that meet the terms of the European Directive but do not disadvantage the United Kingdom tobacco industry.