THE Scottish Government's plan to introduce plain packing for tobacco products could be delayed as a result of lengthy court action.

The tobacco industry is understood to be drawing up plans to mount a legal challenge as soon as legislation is announced in the Scottish Parliament.

The UK Government has put similar plans on hold while it waits for evaluation of a policy introduced in Australia, but the Scottish Government said it will bring forward a Bill.

Imperial Tobacco, one of the largest manufacturers of cigarettes, which has mounted previous challenges, said such a ban would be breach of trade and branding laws.

A spokesman for Imperial Tobacco said: "Australia is the only country to have introduced plain packaging for tobacco products.

"The UK was looking to follow suit and a consultation here drew over half a million responses opposing plain packaging.

"The Prime Minister has since admitted there is 'no sufficient evidence' to indicate that plain packaging would achieve its objectives so has decided not to introduce it here."

The firm disputes there is evidence that branded packaging leads to people choosing to smoke.

In Australia the law meant the introduction of olive green cigarette packets with no branding, instead graphic health warnings cover more than half of each pack.

Early research into the Australian ban has showed one third of smokers believed the quality of their cigarettes is lower and are less satisfied with the product.

The spokesman for Imperial Tobacco added: "Governments and regulators that consider introducing plain packaging risk breaching a range of laws and treaty obligations relating to intellectual property rights and international trade."

The Scottish Government said evidence showed the move will help reduce the number of young people who start smoking, and is committed to the policy.

A spokesman said: "We are committed to introduce standardised packaging.

"We will identify an appropriate timescale to introduce legislation on standardised packaging to the Scottish Parliament."

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk