The idea of plain packaging of tobacco products has been delayed as of now as the Department of Health has put back the deadline for responses to its consultation on the matter.

It is still under consideration whether tobacco manufacturers should go in for wrapping their products in packaging that does not have any fancy fonts and images.

According to public health minister Anne Milton, August 10th will be the closing date for the consultation this year and this is being done just to ensure that everyone who wants to contribute can do so.

The consultation is getting thousands of responses, Milton said. The aim of the consultation is to make people stop smoking by making tobacco manufacturers unable to sell their products in attractive packets.

She revealed, "Health ministers across the UK have a responsibility to look at initiatives that may help to reduce the number of young people taking up smoking and assist existing smokers who are trying to quit. We have an open mind about the introduction of standard packing and want to take full account of all views on the possible benefits and disadvantages of action in this area."