Prime Minister David Cameron has reconsidered his support for standardised tobacco-product packaging and ordered the proposal removed from the Queen’s Speech next week, The Sun said in a story citing an unnamed government source.

Fears the measure will harm the UK packaging industry, reduce tax revenue and create a prolonged legal entanglement led to the decision, the Whitehall source reportedly told the tabloid. The government’s priorities are elsewhere, The Sun said on its website. Earlier media reports, also citing anonymous sources, said a plain packaging proposal would be part of the annual address.
Standardised packaging, along the lines of Australia’s measure that mandates large health warnings, branding restrictions and a drab olive-brown pack for cigarettes, has been under consideration in the UK for the past year. (ci)