Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 May 2017
184. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to address tobacco companies rapidly increasing the production of products affected by plain packaging laws prior to the 30 September 2017 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25203/17]
View answerAs the Deputy has stated, all the provisions of the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015 and the regulations made under the Act will commence on 30 September 2017. Tobacco products manufactured and placed for sale prior to this date can continue to be sold until 30 September 2018 . Therefore, from the 1 October 2018 all tobacco products on sale in Ireland must be in standardised packaging as set out in the legislation. Tobacco products in older, non-compliant packaging cannot be sold from 1 October 2018 regardless of any increased production of tobacco products which may take place prior to September, 2017.
In relation to tobacco manufacturers stocking up on tobacco products prior to the commencement of the standardised packaging legislation, the Department of Finance via the Revenue Commissioners has an overview of such activities and as such I have brought the Deputy's question to their attention.
