Tobacco.org

• Tobacco companies to launch cut-price cigarettes  

Tobacco companies are targeting financially vulnerable consumers with the launch of cheap cigarettes. The move by Imperial Tobacco and Gallaher comes in the wake of a government consultation that could restrict the promotional activity of tobacco giants.

Imperial Tobacco, which makes brands such as Lambert & Butler, will launch a new brand called JPS Silver next month at a price of £4.21 for a pack of 20.

Meanwhile, Gallaher, which makes Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut, will reduce prices on its budget brand Sterling by 7% to £4.20 a pack.

Lobby group, Action on Smoking and Health research manager, Amanda Sandford, has slammed the move by the tobacco companies. "Whenever the price of cigarettes falls, there is an impact on consumption – that hits poor people the hardest. This is bad news," she says.

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