Irish Cancer Society welcomes announcement that standardised packaging of tobacco is due to come into force in September

The Irish Cancer Society has welcomed the announcement that the standardised packaging of tobacco is due to come into force in September of this year, following the signing of the commencement order today. The legislation sets out that any tobacco packs manufactured after September must have standardised packaging.

The Society said this is another significant milestone in working towards the target of a Tobacco Free Ireland by 2025.

Donal Buggy, Head of Services and Advocacy for the Irish Cancer Society said, “I am really pleased to see that plain packaging of tobacco is to become a reality by September as it is something the Irish Cancer Society has long campaigned on. It has taken real political leadership to see this through and credit must also go to former health minister Dr. James Reilly who spearheaded this legislation.

Smoking is responsible for 1 in 4 cancer deaths and it was vital that we worked towards making smoking less attractive to consumers and ensuring health warnings much more prominent on the packaging. Evidence from Australia shows that standardised tobacco packaging, combined with increases in excise duties has had a significant impact in smoking rates reducing to 12.8%, compared to the 19% rate of daily smokers we are see in Ireland currently.

“Research shows that plain packaging acts as a disincentive to young people to start smoking and reduces the attractiveness to them. We need to continue to bring the rate of teenagers smoking down, educate them on the facts about smoking, and work towards our goal of making our young people Ireland’s first smoke-free generation.”

“Through our own surveys, we have also seen a really positive response to plain packs with four in five people behind it and more than three in five smokers supporting it. Today’s announcement will contribute to the health of the nation and, while there is much more progress to be made in supporting smokers to quit, it is a really positive step."