‘Plain packets discourage smoking’

Teenagers would be put off trying smoking if tobacco was sold in plain packets, health campaigners claim.

Research involving 15 and 16-year-olds found branded packets encourage young people to take up the habit, while smokers would try to quit if all packets were the same.

Health Minister James Reilly said it is unacceptable for a product that kills 5,200 Irish people a year to be packaged in a slim pink container like a perfume or lipstick.