“The decision today by the European Parliament’s EPP, ALDE, ECR and EFD political groups to delay the vote on the Tobacco Products Directive is a great shame. The vote on the Directive was scheduled to take place in Strasbourg next week but will now take place on 8th October.
“All the proper procedures for the vote had been respected and the timetable had been in place since January so the move is disappointing.”
“We must now make sure that the vote goes ahead on the 8th October, and that there are no more delay tactics.
“Around 570 children between the ages of 11-15 start smoking everyday in the UK and we cannot justify a delay in acting on this.”