from Denis Campbell and Patrick Wintour of the Guardian:
Cigarettes could be sold only in plain packets after a government U-turn on a major public health policy that previously appeared to have been dropped.
In a surprise move the coalition is set to give ministers the power to introduce the policy, although actual implementation will be subject to an evidence review.
The latest volte face came after a cross party group of peers tabled amendments to the children and families bill that would have introduced standardised packaging.
The group, led by Lord Faulkner, were confident of winning the vote in the Lords since they had prestigious medical support in the Lords for the measure.
The evidence review, which will be led by Sir Cyril Chantler, a distinguished doctor, academic and NHS administrator, will report by the end of March.
Subject to its findings, plain packaging could be in force before the 2015 general election.