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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Feb 1975

Vol. 278 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Amendment of 1842 Tobacco Act.

89.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will now consider initiating proposals to amend the Tobacco Act, 1842, to enable Irish manufacturers of cigarettes to compete in a wider market.

Mr. Kenny

The Deputy will recollect that in the discussion on a similar question previously asked by him I indicated on 15th May, 1973, that should the need arise for amending the legislation relating to the materials which could lawfully be used in manufacturing cigarettes the necessary legislation would be introduced. Following this, section 51, Finance Act, 1973, contained a provision which enabled cigarettes manufactured in this country for export to be freed of the restrictions contained in the Tobacco Act, 1842.

Does that mean the 1842 Act no longer applies?

Mr. Kenny

The Act may be in force but the specific provision in the Act has been repealed in regard to cigarettes for export.

I understand certain types of cigarettes could be manufactured and successfully exported but their manufacture is not permitted under the 1842 Act.

Mr. Kenny

My information is that section 51 of the Finance Act, 1973, amended the Tobacco Act of 1842 to allow Irish manufacturers of cigarettes for export markets to blend materials other than tobacco and water. This provision allowed the use of synthetic tobacco. Apparently the amendment of this particular section of the 1842 Act applies only to synthetic cigarettes, things I did not know existed.

Cigarettes manufactured now for export may have materials other than water added.

Mr. Kenny

Specifically, this provision allowed the use of synthetic tobacco, whatever that is.

Unfortunately the restrictions in the 1842 Act are interfering with exports. I understand from the Parliamentary Secretary that cigarettes manufactured for export may now have other things added as distinct from the restrictions in the 1842 Act.

Mr. Kenny

I take it that in manufacturing cigarettes one could blend only tobacco and water but, for export, one could have synthetic tobacco. I do not know what synthetic tobacco is.

Synthetic additives.

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