Plain packs will see fewer children smoking, say charities

Plain pack cigarettes will mean fewer child smokers, two leading anti-smoking charities have claimed.

The Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation said the introduction of generic packaging would mean children would be less likely to start smoking, and called on the Government to introduce the ban on cigarette packaging as soon as possible.

The Cabinet yesterday backed the plan by Health Minister James Reilly to draft legislation that he expects to have prepared by the autumn and enacted next year.