Standard generic cigarette packaging to be introduced in Ireland
Ireland is set to become only the second country in the world to introduce plain pack cigarettes.
The move was announced today by Minister for Health James Reilly ahead ofWorld No Tobacco Day on Friday,
Minister Reilly said that while many arguments would be made against such an introduction, he was confident that this legislation will be justified and supported purely by the fact that it will save lives.
Minister Reilly said: 'To replace the smokers who quit, the tobacco industry needs to recruit fifty new smokers in Ireland every day just to maintain smoking rates at their current level. Given that 78% of smokers in a survey said they started smoking under the age of 18, it's clear that the tobacco industry focuses on children to replace those customers who die or quit.
“The introduction of standardised packaging will remove the final way for tobacco companies to promote their deadly product in Ireland.” the Minister said.
Cigarette packets will no longer be a mobile advertisement for the tobacco industry. Research has shown that packaging has been used effectively to reassure consumers about the risks of smoking for example with the use of the words “mild” or “light” on packs in the past.
Research has also shown that imagery and colours are also used to influence consumers. Pack shape and design are also key measures with packets available that resemble a lipstick box.
Standardised packaging of tobacco products will remove all form of branding – trademarks, logos, colours and graphics. The brand name would be presented in a uniform typeface for all brands and the packs would all be in one plain neutral colour.
There is strong evidence that standardised packaging will:
Increase the effectiveness of health warnings;
Reduce false health beliefs about cigarettes; and
Reduce brand appeal particularly among youth and young adults
An informative video by Cancer Research UK on the power that cigarette packaging has on children is available online at:
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