Cigarette packet health warnings to be in Irish

A PRIMARY school teacher has won her High Court bid to have health warnings on cigarette packets sold here published in Irish as well as English and also published in the same size. The warnings and other notices are currently printed in English only.

Proceedings brought by Caitríona Uí Riain against the Minister for Health and Children and the State were settled yesterday on the basis of the State agreeing to a mandatory order requiring it to amend the relevant law by October 1 next to provide health warning and information notices on cigarette packets be published, in the same size, in Irish and English.

The State also agreed to the making of a court declaration it must amend the relevant law here to comply with a European directive — Directive 2001/37/EC — in relation to health warnings, and ensure the languages are treated equally in accordance with the provisions of that directive.