Irish Cancer Society calls for Government to move quickly on plain packaging to avoid further delays

The Irish Cancer Society has today called on the Government to bring forward legislation that will lead to the enactment of plain packaging on tobacco products. According to the Society, a delay in the formation of Government means that plain packaging will not come into force from today, as planned.

Donal Buggy, Head of Services and Advocacy at the Irish Cancer Society said: “Due to the prolonged period of Government negotiations, a minor piece of technical legislation changing the laws that introduce plain packaging, has not been progressed. We are asking that this piece of legislation is put to the Oireachtas as a priority.”

Part 5 of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 proposes small changes in text and markings on the new plain packaging of tobacco products. The Bill was initiated in the last Dáil, but did not make it past second stage. Unless this Bill is progressed through the Oireachtas, the introduction of plain packaging, originally billed for today (20 May), cannot go ahead.

Mr. Buggy said: “We have already missed the opportunity to be the first country in Europe, along with the UK, to introduce plain packaging. Action is needed to make sure that the new Government’s commitment to a Tobacco Free by 20251 is not put at risk.”

Research

The Irish Cancer Society’s call comes as research by the cancer charity shows that 78% of people support the introduction of the standardised packaging of tobacco products.

Mr. Buggy said: “We’re encouraged by the level of support for plain packaging with almost 4 in 5 people behind it, while more than 3 in 5 smokers support it. This will reduce smoking rates in Ireland, and will stop young people smoking before they start.

When shown proposed plain packs of cigarettes, which include graphic health warnings that have to cover 65% of the new packs, with the name of cigarette brand as the only differentiating feature, the response of both smokers and non-smokers was positive.

“Our survey showed an overwhelmingly strong response from non-smokers to the packs, with many commenting on the strong impact of graphic warnings and their usefulness in highlighting health risks. Non-smokers alike reacted positively to the new packs’ educational value and many felt they would act as a deterrent to new smokers.”

Evidence from Australia shows that in the two years following the introduction of plain packaging, smoking rates fell to an historic low of 12.8%. This is down from 15.1% two years before its introduction. In Ireland, the smoking rate currently stands at 19.5%.

Mr. Buggy said: “We know from the experience of plain packaging in Australia that it is a very effective measure in tobacco control that will reduce smoking rates, plain and simple. It is especially useful in stopping young people from smoking. We know that in Australia the daily smoking rate among 12-17 year olds has fallen to just 5%, compared to 8% here.”

3 in 5 smokers suggested that plain packaging will increase the effectiveness of health warnings and make smoking less attractive, with 7 in 10 non-smokers agreeing. However, smokers were slightly more sceptical about the impact of plain packaging on existing smokers.

Mr. Buggy said: “What our research shows is that smokers are less inclined to see plain packaging as an effective incentive for them to quit smoking. 38% of smokers thought it would encourage them to quit smoking, with 44% disagreeing, while 35% of smokers thought it would encourage family or friends to quit.”

“We expect that this view will evolve as plain packaging becomes the norm, but it highlights the need for continued investment in effective smoking cessation services to accompany such progressive public health actions”.

UK Ruling

The Irish Cancer Society welcomed the decision by the UK’s High Court to reject outright the tobacco industry’s challenge to regulations on plain packaging, which means plain packaging will be introduced there today and commended tobacco control partners in the UK on their efforts.

Mr. Buggy said: “We wholeheartedly welcome the UK High Court’s decision. The sooner plain packs are on the shelves in Ireland the better. Fast-tracking plain packaging will put us on the road to a Tobacco-Free Ireland by 2025”.

“The tobacco industry will stop at nothing to delay plain packaging, because they know it works. We are concerned that they will use the delayed introduction of plain packaging to exploit other aspects of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016.”

Mr. Buggy added: “We are also asking that the ‘wash-out’ period, allowing for the sale of labelled stocks of existing cigarette packs manufactured or circulated before 20 May 2016, is not pushed back beyond the existing deadline of 20 May 2017, as this could further endanger the goal of a Tobacco Free Ireland by 2025.”