Sir, – The introduction of the standardised packaging of tobacco has to be welcomed as a significant milestone for public health in Ireland. Despite this, there will continue to be a campaign from those opposed to measures aimed at tackling the 5,200 deaths from tobacco every year in Ireland.
Vincent Devlin (June 13th) says the move “will be welcomed by smugglers and will result in further lost revenue to the State”.
The term “plain packaging” is a misnomer. The new packaging will not be a plain white box, as some in the tobacco industry would have people believe. It will be a “dull, drab colour” such as olive green and will contain graphic health warnings.
Sadly for smugglers, the new packs will have the same sophisticated security markings and anti-counterfeiting measures currently on cigarette packs.
In fact, the Revenue Commissioners and the Garda, whose job it is to tackle the illicit problem, told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children in January that there is no evidence “plain packaging” will have any effect on the illicit trade.
Australia has had standardised packaging in place since 2012 and in that time customs officials have intercepted just one consignment of “plain packaged” cigarettes among the thousands of illicit imports discovered. They say the new packaging has had “no impact” on illegal tobacco.
The facts from the Revenue officials in Ireland and tax officials in Australia indicate that “plain packaging” will have no effect on smuggling. In fact, the rate of illicit tobacco in Ireland continues to fall – from 13 per cent in 2012 to 11 per cent in 2014.
Smoking costs our health service between €1 billion and €2 billion every year.
In order to maintain profits, tobacco companies need to recruit 50 new smokers in Ireland every day. Standardised packaging will eliminate the last great marketing tool for the tobacco industry and protect our young people from beginning to smoke.
We owe it to the next generation to support this initiative. – Yours, etc,
KATHLEEN O’MEARA,
EOIN BRADLEY,
Irish Cancer Society,
Northumberland Road,
Dublin 4.