The ban on sales of packs of 10 cigarettes will finally come into effect at the end of May next year, the Department of Health has announced. Eithne Donnellan, Health Correspondent, reports.
The ban, which is aimed at stopping teenagers in particular from starting to smoke, was originally meant to come into effect on October 1st. However, it was delayed after the tobacco industry, in submissions to the department, said that for logistical reasons it could not meet that deadline. It argued stocks had been manufactured and were in the distribution chain and could not be easily recalled.
Minister of State for Health Seán Power said yesterday it would be illegal to sell cigarettes in packs of fewer than 20 from May 31st, 2007. The sale of confectioneries that resemble tobacco products would also be banned.
Éamonn Rossi of the Office of Tobacco Control said the abolition of packs of 10, combined with the 50 cent Budget increase in the price of 20 cigarettes, would be a big boost to the campaign to tackle smoking among children and young people.
He said recent research showed that 76 per cent of underage smokers bought packs of 10. The net effect of abolishing packs of fewer than 20 cigarettes would be to double the cost.
Prof Luke Clancy, chairman of Ash Ireland, said it had been a good week for tobacco control.