Fine Gael town councillor Brendan Henaghan has welcomed the introduction of new legislation to provide for much larger health warnings on cigarette packets. The Cabinet has approved the heads of the Bill that will make it mandatory for tobacco to be sold in standardised packaging, which will greatly increase the health warnings and reduce the ability of tobacco manufacturers to promote their brand.
“The Public Health [standardised packaging of tobacco] Bill 2013 will outlaw forms of branding such as trademarks and logos on cigarette packs and on roll-your-own packs and will determine the size and positioning of the warnings,” Cllr Henaghan explained.
The Government has also approved the recommendation by the Minister for Health Dr James Reilly that the general scheme of the Bill be submitted for hearings by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for review and report.
“Cigarette packs have been described as the last billboard for the tobacco industry; this legislation will force the industry to show with greater clarity, the potential devastating effects of smoking on health,” the Fine Gael councillor continued.
“Tobacco companies currently use packets of various shapes and colours to attract young people to take up the killer habit. Standardised packaging – all the one type –with much larger warnings will be a deterrent. This new legislation, when introduced, will also contribute to the Government’s goal of achieving a tobacco free Ireland by the year 2025.”
