The NFRN has welcomed the news that retailers have longer to respond to the government’s consultation on plain packaging and has congratulated the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops’ Group, Priti Patel MP, for getting the deadline extended to August 10.

NFRN National President Alan Smith said: “This is very good news as this is a very serious matter about which members feel very strongly and this extra time will enable them to make their feelings known.

“It is really important that as many retailers as possible respond and oppose this preposterous proposal. Putting tobacco products in plain packs will not reduce the number of smokers but is a gift to counterfeiters who will find it easier and cheaper to copy duty paid tobacco. This is a real threat to young people who will be cynically targeted by the counterfeiters. I urge any retailers who have yet to object to proposals to do so."

The NFRN has received numerous requests from members who would like to make their own submissions in Gujarati or Urdu and is taking steps to facilitate this.

Smith continued: “We will be submitting our own formal response but are very keen that members’ voices are heard as well, both in written submissions and through lobbying their local MP.”