Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. My Department, in consultation with the HSE, is continuously monitoring the ever-evolving market tactics of the tobacco industry. As these evolve so too must our legislation and policy framework. I appreciate the Senator's bringing this new development to our attention. As the Senator may be aware the European Court of Justice ruling has obliged us to cease the practice of placing a minimum price on tobacco products and to amend our legislation in this regard. The Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Act 2013, however, allows for the regulation of various promotional devices used by the tobacco industry.

While the Senator is right to be concerned at the introduction of these new packs of 23 and 25 cigarettes, the main issue of concern to the Minister is preventing people and especially young people starting to smoke. The ban on the sale of packs containing fewer than 20 cigarettes was introduced as a measure to deter children and young people from smoking. A combination of measures is required in order to make an impact on the numbers smoking in Ireland. These include raising awareness, education, price increases, developing legislation related to tobacco products and to smoke-free measures. It also includes support and services for those who want to escape nicotine addiction. These measures are aimed at saving lives and not interfering with smokers' rights.

One in two of all long-term smokers will die from a smoking-related disease. A comprehensive range of tobacco legislation is in place in Ireland which places us in the top rank of countries internationally. Some of these significant initiatives include: a ban on in-store display and advertising; a ban on self-service vending machines except in licensed premises; a ban on the sale of tobacco to individuals under 18 years of age; cigarette price increases; social marketing and media campaigns and graphic warnings on cigarette packs. All these measures have the effect of denormalising tobacco use in our society which is the most effective way to prevent future generations from continuing the habit. More, however, needs to be done. My Department is finalising a new tobacco policy which sets out a range of measures to achieve a tobacco-free society. These measures include the development of legislation to ban smoking in cars where children are present and the development of legislation for the introduction of standardised packaging of tobacco products. The plain packaging of tobacco will ensure that cigarette packets are no longer a mobile advertisement for the tobacco industry. Evidence shows that young people in particular find plain packaging tobacco products less appealing. As almost 80% of smokers start when they are children it is important that many of our measures should be aimed at young people.

In conclusion I would like to confirm the Minister's and this Government's commitment to health promotion and the introduction of tobacco control measures. I can assure the Senator that the Department and the HSE will continue to monitor the tobacco industry promotion. The aim is to de-normalise smoking and ultimately move to a tobacco-free society. We will, with everyone's assistance, work constructively with all stakeholders to achieve this goal. We cannot but say that the type of packaging that we have been seeing lately, the smart, sleek, long packages are very clearly directed at young women.

The pink sleek packaging is not something that would appeal to young men. It is clearly directed towards young women. The criticism of that type of marketing which we must state loudly and clearly is that this is a clear attempt to get more young people as customers for the tobacco sector.