Opposition mounts against Ireland’s tobacco brand ban

Opposition is mounting to Ireland’s plans to outlaw tobacco branding after the foreign affairs minister was given a letter last week in Washington from 71 organisations criticising the move.

A formal complaint has also been lodged by the US Chamber of Commerce with Brussels claiming that the impact of plain packaging on Ireland’s economy will be “significant”.

Trade Minister Charlie Flanagan was given the letter at a US breakfast meeting from the global businesses, chambers of commerce, and industry groups warning the plan was against international legal agreements.