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Updated, 11:06
THE DÁIL will tomorrow begin debating legislation giving dramatic new powers to the Minister to Health, allowing him to require cigarette packaging to carry graphic images showing the damage that smoking can cause.
The Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013 will allow the Minister to unilaterally issue new guidelines on the advertising and promotion of tobacco, ahead of the introduction of new EU-wide rules expected to take effect next year.
The Bill also ensures Ireland is observing a European Court of Justice rule which found that minimum retail prices were a breach of EU law – though the legislation will not impact on Ireland’s own ability to levy excise on the sale of tobacco as it sees fit.
Last month the European Commission adopted a new directive on the design of cigarette packets which will require almost three-quarters of a packet to be devoted to health advertising and pictures showing the effects that smoking can have on internal organs.
The Irish rules will pre-empt this by allowing James Reilly to issue new regulations on the design of tobacco packaging, as well as its marketing and promotion.
Enactment of the legislation, which is expected to be completed by the end of the month, will make Ireland one of the first European countries to have brought in the new rules – over a year ahead of the introduction of the European rules which must first be approved by MEPs and health ministers.
Reilly himself may be in a position to oversee the approval of the new rules by health ministers, with Ireland’s presidency of Council of the EU giving him the opportunity to chair several meetings of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council.
The new EU directive will also prohibit the inclusion of certain flavours in tobacco products, as an attempt to stop the marketing of certain products which may be more oriented towards younger consumers.
The European Commission said its new proposals were not only geared toward improving public health, but also towards further harmonising the internal market within the EU’s borders.
The moves also hope to make a dent in sales of illegal tobacco, as imported and illicit cigarettes will now be easier to spot if they do not carry the EC’s health warnings.
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I’m off them 75 days today. Getting so much easier now. Hopefully this new packaging will encourage others to give up, though the text warning on packs did nothing to encourage me, I actually became immune after a while. I’d say this new method might prevent young people from starting.
They should have that in place all ready! Smoking is a disgusting habit. It’s extremely rude to smoke infront of other people without asking them first I think. I have a right to not be breathing that horrible stuff!
Then walk away! You don’t own the planet!
Sometimes I don’t always have that choice! You’re a few pence short of a penny if you think I think I own the planet……
There’s always a choice. I bet you’re the type of person that gives people the evils for smoking in a beer garden. I love enjoying a cigarette in front of people like that because it annoys the hell out of them.
I wouldnt hold out much hope for that. They’ll never ban smoking in beer gardens (within our lifetimes anyway).
Filthy disgusting habit!!
Sanctimonious git
I can see cigarette cases coming back into fashion and a fortune being made
I’ve seen those on duty free cigs. The mother in law smokes like a trooper. She carries a sheet of stickers with her & puts one over the images “in case the kids see it”.
Doesn’t put her off at all.
Her concern for the kids is quite touching
That’ll be quite off putting.
What about the tax revenue?
Sure they’ll tax fatty food now. that has become demonized, its like the new smoking.
As long as someone is being taxed so the healthcare system can be funded to cope with all these people living longer.
I can see it now, 50c on a Big Mac next budget.
Oh they want to watch that. People won’t stand for it. It’ll usher in an Irish Arab Spring.
Can’t buy less than 20 fries………lmao
Nah, not enough Arabs in ireland.
The EU are forcing Ireland to get smoking out of the equation. The reason is because smoking related diseases costs the healthcare system a fortune to treat. Also Ireland is heading in the same direction as US in the sense that we will all need health insurance in order to be seen. Smoke related diseases hurt insurance companies so they would prefer if smoking was knocked on the head.
You’re right Joe. We need tax breaks for Arabs.
Off them 15 Days today. Haven’t really felt it to be honest and I was a heavy smoker.
These images would have done nothing to me when I was smoking though. You need to want to quit not have it shoved down your cancer ridden throat.
Good on ya Niall
Congrats on being clean. These images aren’t aimed at people like yourself who were already on them. They’re aimed at young children so as to prevent them from starting in the first place.
Well in that case Jason, bring it on. Any of my family ever think about starting they’ll have me to contend with first. :)
Why not just ban them?
cos they want thier cake and also want to eat it. if they were serious about it they would be outright banned.
If they were banned, there would be chaos on the streets. Cigs are highly addictive, swiping them from someone’s hand is not the answer. Banning will never be a solution instead education to prevent kids taking them up and support for those who want to quit is the only answer.
The US tried it once with alcohol and it didn’t work:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States
Pointless, 99.9% of smokers know the dangers. Are they going to put similar images on car bonnets? On a bottle of Coke or a packet of Special K? On a snack box or a Big Mac?
Waste of time IMO
You sound just like the tobacco companies did here in oz . The fact of the matter is if you have kids loooking at these images and big font warnings on boxes from a very young age it will have a big impact on them .
Sorry should really just say cereals. Sugar based products that claim to be healthy. :)
I’m not saying don’t do it John. If it prevents one new smoker then great but if you are going after one then go after everything that causes health problems and death. That is all.
They have started this already, it just makes you turn the pack over so you can’t see the picture. I’d love to be able to stay off them!!
@Jenni I went on to the electric cigarette and it is just the same as smoking a real one. You get the same sensation of inhaling and of exhaling as vapour comes out. You can also get different strengths and the best thing is there is no smell no tar or chemicals and you can legally smoke them anywhere
Only problem with those electric ones are there disgusting… Smell and taste rank
We need the revenue! Hope the government see this, and if you want to smoke you should be left alone. We are all big enough to make choices, next the drink will be targeted.
[I don't smoke] If you don’t want to, don’t. If you do, I’m all for it. I know this results in a significant cost to both the persons health and the health system. But what are we going to do eh? As many others have said, we can’t ban them, our tax revenue is pretty dependent on this highly-addictive bad habit. The Gov’t are almost glad people smoke, they just can’t be seen to be promoting it. It’s like a double-edged sword with them, they have to be seen to be putting the health of the nation first, whilst also cashing in on people’s weakness. I say this as a son of a smoker who’s health is visibly deteriorating. But despite all the health scares, and horrible smokers cough, which she puts off as being a cold of some description (all year round). It’s quite sad for both the smoker and the families of a smoker to watch this happen and not be able to do anything about it.
For all that’s said and done, it’s a great way of population control. If you were to hold the Tobacco Industry to account for the millions upon millions of people it kills every year around the world, they are the worst mass genocide perpetrators in history. But hey, it’s legal.
Why is alcohol immune from such health warnings?
“Drink Aware” is hardly the same as a photograph of a decimated liver?
Alcoholism is a serious issue in this country; the health warnings seem mild in comparison to smoking and snack foods industry.
Not to mention the continued sponsorship in sport and slick advertising (your man in Heineken ad is so wasted he ends up on a train Moscow where he gets off the train and starts drinking again!).
And before I get troll bashed, am only pointing out the differing standards.
I supose it’s because there is nothing wrong or unhealthy about the responsible and moderate consumption of alcohol. Indeed many studies have shown a glass of a red wine has advantageous cardiovascular effects. You are focusing on the abuse of alcohol; an unwise personal choice.
The tobacco industry is different. There is no such thing as safe, moderate consumption of tobacco. One cigarette a day is carcinogenic. That is the key difference, it is an inherently destructive product regardless of the temperance of the consumer.
Its not going to work. We already know the dangers of smoking, the images will just be something people will get used to, plus by using the graphic images like they are proposing it will be harder to shock people into giving up anything else in the future.
When you say “we” …. Ur speaking for everyone kids included ???? Don’t be daft. It’s a sensible idea …. And as for the impending law banning smoking in cars with children …. Groundbreaking and brilliant ! Will be first in Europe I think with this ….. Sweet !
It will work it’s already happened here in oz and the tobacco companies fought tooth and nail to stop it . It takes away their advertising and the images are disgusting . I’m a smoker myself and while it won’t stop me , I’m sure it will stop kids , and that’s all that matters really get them young . I also read recently that they were talking about doing it in the us but the tobacco lobby are so powerful that they had it argued that it would be against the 1st amendment . What a place .
I really don’t think so fizi , if they want to collect boxes there’s plenty to be found . That’s ridiculous really .
The health service were ordered to do this by the EU because its costing the state millions on the costs of hospital treatment for patients with smoke related diseases. Not because they care about our people.
This is the 2nd time you said this but it should be pointed out if it cost health service millions govn took in billions on cigs that more than balances out the cost.
I don’t think this will stop kids, they will be probably even more to buy them to look at those gross pictures and even probably collect them – like they didn’t know kids, forbidden fruit tastes best…
This seems to be the case already on Marlboro Light packs here (man with a tumour on the pack). Only problem, a friend who lived in Oz for two years said that people there soon became immune to the photography on packs.
Also getting rid of the ten pack was a bad move here; it was meant to discourage kids from smoking but it drove many milder smokers on the the 20 pack.
And now even non smokers go outside in the pub to hang out in the smoking area as that’s where “it all happens”. It’s a bit of no win.
Anyone got a light?
How about putting pictures on bottles of alcohol and fast food cartons showing the carnage they cause to society people are happy enough to beat the drum when it comes to smokers, we have the highest prices in Europe for tobacco products a pouch of tobacco that costs €6.75 in holland costs € 20 here the government make a fortune out of us and then bitch about us . And to the people who say just ban it I say lets ban everything alcohol ,suger and don’t forget tea and coffee both contain that drug caffeine .
He must mean ketamine .
Putting these images on cigarette packets is a waste of time. Smoking is an addiction to nicotine and no amount of scary pictures will stop an addict from smoking to get their nicotine fix. Unless the root of the addiction is tackled smokers will continue to smoke.
All in time I’d say Gary .
cigerette cases will come back in,,, and kids dont care, they see more graphic stuff on their video games,
have your say