Cancer survivors urge passing of plain pack law

Lung cancer and heart attack survivors have urged the Government to force through radical changes to cigarette packaging and ignore industry claims the move will only benefit the black market.

The patients made their views on the proposed changes clear before the Oireachtas health committee met to discuss the move yesterday.

Under plans championed by Health Minister James Reilly, cigarette companies could be forced to swap their “attractive” packaging for plain alternatives.