Reilly praised for holding fast against tobacco industry

Legislation to use plain packaging on tobacco and cigarette packets has been

passed by the Seanad, making Ireland the first country in the EU and the second in the world to do so.

The Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill had first been passed by the Seanad and then moved for Dáil debate. The Dáil passed some technical amendments last week linked to the title of the Bill, and it was returned to the Seanad yesterday to pass these final amendments.

The legislation removes all cigarette marketing from packaging, with only the name of the brand on the top of the packet and a health warning covering the entire package.

Minister for Children James Reilly said the move should protect children from starting to smoke.

Resolute

Fianna Fáil’s Senator

Paschal Mooney

praised the Minister for “holding fast and being resolute against very stiff opposition from the tobacco industry” and it showed “what these evil people are doing”.

He criticised the tobacco industry which “shamefacedly, attempted to intimidate the Minister and this Government by threatening legal action”.

Independent David Norris said Dr Reilly had demonstrated "extraordinary determination and courage in taking on one of the wealthiest and most unscrupulous lobbies we have seen on this planet".

He described as a “monstrous and impertinent intrusion into the proper working of democracy” attempts by “sections of the tobacco industry to challenge the right of this national parliament to pass legislation”.

Fine Gael's Imelda Henry was concerned the sale of illegal cigarettes might increase.

Independent John Crown said the product which was sold illegally was produced legally. Manufacturers, despite their "craw-thumping hypocrisy", loved smuggling "because the smuggled product is cheap and is a cheaper way to hook children on cigarettes".