John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I admire the efforts of the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, to address smoking. His intentions are good and I fully support measures to inform smokers of the damaging health effects of smoking. However, I propose to ask a question that many people are asking. What does the Government hope to achieve with this legislation? For instance, the Bill is not backed up by evidence of likely results. The only international comparison available is Australia, which became the first country to ban branded cigarette packs in December 2012.

Deliveries of tobacco to retailers in Australia actually rose last year for the first time in at least five years. There is no quantitative evidence whatsoever that plain packaging has made any impact on the prevalence of smoking among minors in Australia. What can be quantified, however, is the notable increase in illicit trade and smuggling in cigarettes in that country.

My view is that plain packaging on cigarettes will make them more glamorous to young people since it will generate an air of secrecy and create a form of taboo.

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