Cigarette packaging: Lessening the lure of smoking

IRELAND is set to become the first country in Europe to ban branded cigarette packets. The Seanad passed the plain packaging law yesterday, which also makes it illegal to sell cigarettes in lipstick-style containers designed for female smokers.

The Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 requires the removal of all industry marketing from tobacco packaging.

It has now passed all stages of the Oireachtas and is expected to be signed into law by President Higgins this month.