asked the Minister for Health the present position with the cigarette companies on the question of control of cigarette advertisements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cigarette Advertisements.
31.
Discussions with the tobacco and other interests involved have been concluded and the drafting of the regulations to control the promotion of tobacco products is being completed.
When will the regulations be available?
Very soon.
Would it be imposing unduly on the Minister's wisdom and courtesy to ask him if he can give any inkling—since we will not be meeting for some weeks—of what the regulations might contain?
I would be prepared to have a discussion with the Deputy about them if I thought it would be helpful.
I would be extremely interested.
Come and see me after Question Time.
32.
asked the Minister for Health if he has had discussions with English tobacco manufactures in relation to the control of cigarette advertisements and if he has received any commitments from them that they will change their advertisements to meet his projected new regulations.
Officers of my Department have had discussions with representatives of United Kingdom tobacco manufacturing interests concerning the controls which I intend to impose in the Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion) Regulations. This was done as part of the consultation process I have had undertaken with all interests likely to be affected by the regulations. No commitment of the kind referred to by the Deputy has been given by the UK tobacco interests.
Is it not logical to assume that if no commitment has been made and if the advertisements are not changed, the publications which contain these advertisements may not be permitted to be sold in this country after the regulations have been issued?
That does not follow.
Is the Minister holding out some hope to the people who feared that the employment content in the retail newsagents trade may not be adversely affected as had been feared?
I have always indicated to the persons concerned that I hope to be able to overcome the difficulties and that it is still my intention.