Ireland become first country in EU to ban branded cigarette packets – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Ireland become first country in EU to ban branded cigarette packets




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Ireland has become the first European country to order a ban on branded cigarette packets.

The state are Following the example set by Australia and New Zealand, big tobacco companies will be forced to use standardised packaging and carry harrowing-looking health warnings and images on the boxes and pouches.

With these new laws tobacco companies will be forced to remove all logos, trademarks, colours, designs and graphics except for the make or name of the product which will be in a uniform typeface on a plain background.

The Department of Health said the objective – which is expected to be fiercely contested in the courts by tobacco firms – is to make packets look less attractive, to make health warnings more prominent and to reduce the risk that people, especially children, will be misled about the harmful effects of smoking.

Health Minister James Reilly who welcomed the decision said the tobacco industry invests heavily in pack design to sell their products.
“Given all we know about the dangers of smoking, it is not acceptable to allow the tobacco industry to use deceptive marketing gimmicks to lure our children into this deadly addiction and to deceive current smokers about the impact of their addiction,” Dr Reilly said.
“The introduction of standardised packaging will remove the final way for tobacco companies to promote their deadly product in Ireland. Cigarette packets will no longer be a mobile advertisement for the tobacco industry.”
The Cabinet approved the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 at its weekly meeting.
“This represents a significant step forward in our tobacco control policy and our goal of being a smoke free country by 2025,” Dr Reilly added.

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