Ireland has become the first European Union member state to pass a law introducing mandatory plain packaging for tobacco products, prompting the tobacco industry to threaten legal action. Under the new rules all forms of branding, including logos and colors will be banned and all products will have have a uniform packaging with graphic health warnings.
Before the bill passed, the minister for children James Reilly, said, "We are creating legislation which will be historic and will be of real importance to the area of public health. We are on the verge of being the first country in the EU to pass a law on plain packaging. We are on the verge of the being only the second country in the world to pass a plain packaging law."
The legislation had cross-party support and was passed without a vote. It will be sent to the president to pass into law after a technical vote in the upper house next week, although full implementation of the rules will not be effective until May 2017, when all existing packaging must be removed from sale.
This move has been met with fierce opposition by tobacco companies who have threatened with legal action. JTI Ireland, owner of the Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut brands, said, "We would take legal action if the legislation is enacted. We have made our views known to the government many times so they should come as no surprise. If this proceeds we will go to court to protect our rights."
Minister Reilly said, "We in this house will not be intimidated by such action. We will pass such laws as we believe to be correct. Remember if a bully tries to intimidate you with actions you should stand firm and be true to what you believe to be right."
Source: Medindia
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