27/02/2015

Govt Should Share 'Sense Of Satisfaction' Over Cigarette Packaging Bill

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly, has said that the government will not be bullied into dropping plain cigarette packaging legislation.

Minister Reilly said the government should share a "sense of satisfaction" for being the first EU country to pass the plain packaging law.

"We do so despite legal threats from the lawyers for the tobacco industry," Dr Reilly said.

"We do so despite an extraordinary legal letter demanding that we stop and stop immediately."

The Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 is passing through its final stage debate, and is expected to pass through Oireachtas next week after the Seanad passes a number of technical amendments.

(MH/CD)

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