Royal Seal to Remain on British Cigarettes

LONDON — Queen Elizabeth has refused to block use of Britain’s royal seal on cigarette packages despite an opposition politician’s charge that it encourages her subjects to smoke.

Several cigarette manufacturers, along with hundreds of other firms regularly supplying the royal household, are allowed to use the seal, known as a royal warrant, on their goods.

Labor Member of Parliament Ernie Roberts asked the queen to review the policy last January after her sister Princess Margaret, a heavy smoker, went into hospital for a lung operation.

Roberts said Monday he had received a letter from the Buckingham Palace office which grants royal warrants stating: “Cigarettes are offered to guests at the palace as a matter of courtesy and there can, therefore, be no question of withdrawing warrants from those who supply the cigarettes.”