Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013
476. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will outline Government plans for plain packaging of cigarettes; if he will set out an indicative timeframe for the introduction of relevant measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44638/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment approval was received last May to begin the process of introducing standardised packaging of tobacco products in Ireland. Work is progressing on the development of draft heads of a bill to regulate the retail packaging of tobacco products. An interdepartmental Steering Group on Standardised Packaging has also been established to oversee the implementation of a project plan in this regard.
The introduction of standardised packaging of tobacco products in one of a number of measures which will be implemented in order to reduce smoking in our society. These measures are outlined in the policy document Tobacco Free Ireland which I launched earlier this month. The two key themes underpinning the report are protecting children and the denormalisation of smoking.
The report sets a target for Ireland to be tobacco free (i.e. with a prevalence rate of less than 5%) by 2025.
