The draft covers cigarette and roll-your-own packaging, and requirements for the appearance of individual cigarettes. Products such as cigars would not be subject to plain packaging. The consultation will run until 7 Aug, the Health Department said.
A prior consultation was held in 2012, and was followed by the Chantler Review published this April that concluded plain packs would have a positive impact on public health.
Draft regulations applying to cigarettes and roll-your-own (RYO) tobaccos stipulate a uniform drab brown, matt finish for pack surfaces with standard typeface for brand and variant names. Inside pack surfaces would be white or drab brown, the consultation document states.
Health warnings would be in line with new European Union rules for cigarettes and RYO that require graphic messages covering 65 per cent front/back, and printed warnings on 50 per cent of the sides.
Specialist tobacco products would not be subjected to UK plain packaging because they are not popular with youth.
Individual cigarettes would be white with cork tipping and specified type and location for brand names. There are as yet no restrictions on size and length of cigarettes. RYO packs may be cuboid, cylindrical or in pouch form. Pack surfaces must be smooth, with no embossing. Foils must be fully clear and transparent, according to the draft.