Brussels, 29/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - Already a pioneer in banning smoking in public places, Ireland is continuing on its path to fight against tobacco addiction. Indeed Ireland will become the first country in the European Union, and the second country in the world (after Australia), to adopt plain pack cigarettes - in other words cigarette packets that are devoid of any distinctive elements (such as logo, colour and graphics) associated with a product, and including large warnings linked to health or the environment. The cigarette brand will only appear in very small letters. “It is with great pleasure that I announce (…) that I have received government approval to begin the process of introducing standardised/plain packaging of tobacco products in Ireland. While many arguments will be made against such an introduction, I am confident that this legislation will be justified and supported purely by the fact that it will save lives”, stated Irish Minister for Health James Reilly.
In its tobacco directive proposal, the European Commission gives the choice to member states on whether or not to adopt plain packaging. This arouses heated debate between those who think that it will discourage smokers - particularly young people who like to sport attractively designed cigarette packets, and those who think that it will lead to an explosion in sales of counterfeit cigarettes. Ireland has chosen to adopt plain packaging. “Research has shown that packaging has been used effectively to reassure consumers about the risks of smoking - for example, with the use of the words 'mild' or 'light' on packs (…) imagery and colours are also used to influence consumers”, Reilly stated. (IL/transl.fl)