The introduction of plain cigarette packaging led to an increase in the sale price of leading brands, new research suggests.

A study by Stirling University found that the price of top-selling cigarettes increased by almost 5% – or an extra 38p on a pack of 20 – in the 18 months after the legislation was introduced. The price of hand-rolling tobacco also rose by about 8%, or 91p on a 30g pack. Dr Nathan Critchlow, of Stirling’s institute for social marketing, said: “Tobacco companies were strongly opposed to plain packaging. [...]