Stop creating smokescreens and start saving lives

A separation is needed to remove the issue of illicit cigarettes from the general discourse on plain tobacco packaging.

The report on the rate of illegal tobacco sales in Ireland (Jul 29) links the plain tobacco packaging with the sale of illegal cigarettes; however the introduction of plain packaging is a health measure solely designed so save the lives of future generations of children and reduce the impact the scourge of tobacco smoking has on the nations’ health. Ireland will be the first nation in Europe to introduce plain packaging meaning illegally imported cigarettes will be easily identifiable, as they will display branding.

Given that the vast majority of illegal cigarettes are bought legally abroad and imported illegally to Ireland, rather than counterfeit, the assertion that plain packaging will increase illicit tobacco sales has little basis in fact.