Three companies threaten legal action against new plain packaging laws

It has emerged that three tobacco companies have now threatened legal action over Ireland's new plain packaging tobacco laws.

The legislation was signed into law by the President yesterday afternoon and will take effect on a date to be decided by the Minister for Health Leo Varadkar.

Japan Tobacco International, Philip Morris and Imperial Tobacco have all written to the government through three different legal firms.

Children’s Minister Dr James Reilly - who began work on the laws when he was in the Department of Health – has said the state is ready to stand its ground in court if necessary.