Bill to force plain packaging for cigarettes set for approval today
New laws introducing plain packaging for cigarettes could be passed by the Oireachtas as early as this evening.
Children's Minister James Reilly is to bring the legislation before the Dáil this afternoon.
Its expected it will be voted upon almost immediately and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Bill 2014 will then be passed to the President to sign into law.
It will make Ireland the first country in Europe to pass plain packaging laws.
Head of advocacy with the Irish Cancer Society Kathleen O'Meara said that research shows it will have a significant impact on reducing smoking.
"The plain packs legislation will make s significant difference, we believe, because it robs the tobacco industry of their last great marketing tool," she said.
"Because of bans on advertising and various other measures that have been taken, the cigarette pack has become far more important to the industry to attract new smokers and there's evidence that it does actually encourage smoking, and it particularly encourages young people to start smoking."
Tobacco companies have been launching legal challenges to similar legislation in other countries however, and may yet challenge the legislation here in the courts.
