IN response to your article “Tobacco control agency hits back at industry claims over plain packaging” (Echo, Nov 23), as someone who has worked in the packaging industry for over 40 years I can assure you that the introduction of plain packaging for tobacco products would increase the volume of counterfeit and fake cigarettes on our streets.

When people look at packaging, they often think it is simple, but to those who know the manufacturing processes, tobacco products feature a number of sophisticated and complex markings.

It stands to reason that a plain package without marks specific to a brand and product will be easier to reproduce. Imagine a £20 note without the hologram, watermark and other security features. Would it be easier to forge? Of course it would.

While the Government’s aims of reducing the number of young people smoking should be supported, the effect of plain packaging could potentially have the opposite effect.

Easy-to-copy packs will increase the number of fake and counterfeit cigarettes on our streets, sold by criminals from whom anyone will buy at a very cheap price. Will they ask for ID?

Will the police and law enforcement agencies welcome the increased workload that this will involve? Of course not.

Mike Ridgway, former MD of printers Weidenhammer UK, Bradford, and now spokesman for six leading packaging companies.