The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, has strongly defended the new Public Health Bill following news that three Irish tobacco companies are taking a court action to oppose it.
Speaking on RTÉ radio this morning, Mr Martin denied claims by the tobacco companies that the legislation was draconian and unconstitutional. He said the aim of the legislation, which seeks to ban all tobacco advertising, was to protect children and young people from tobacco addiction.
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"We know that, historically, the objective of the tobacco industry was to target young people," he said.
He described the tobacco companies’ action as "a very comprehensive assault on the Bill."
Explaining the motivation behind banning tobacco advertising, Mr Martin said that "advertising has created a culture within which smoking has become accepted in Ireland".
Citing research by the World Health Organisation, he claimed that advertising bans and pricing controls were the most effective ways of reducing smoking among young people.
He also warned the tobacco companies that the majority of TDs in the Dáil supported this legislation and that, with their legal challenge, they were "taking on the declared position of the elected representatives of the Irish people".
The Bill proposes a number of measures in relation to tobacco sales and advertising. Included in this are proposals to make it illegal for shops to either display or advertise cigarettes on their premises.
The joint legal action is being taken by three Irish tobacco companies, Gallagher Ltd, John Player and Sons and PJ Carroll.