Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the outcome of her decision to change the way tobacco products are displayed in shops. [14814/09]

Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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On 9 July 2008, I announced that further provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004 are to be commenced on 1 July 2009. From that date, there will be no advertising or display of tobacco products in retail outlets; all tobacco products must be out of view and stored within a closed container only accessible by the retailer; all retailers of tobacco products will be required to register with the Office of Tobacco Control and self-service vending machines will be permitted in licensed premises or registered clubs only.

I have since signed the Public Health (Tobacco) (Registration) Regulations 2009, the Public Health (Tobacco) (Self Service Vending Machines) Regulations 2009, the Public Health (Tobacco) (Retail Signs) Regulations 2009 and the Public Health (Tobacco) (Product Information) Regulations 2009. These Regulations give further effect to the provisions that are to be commenced on 1 July 2009.

These measures, which have been anticipated for a considerable time, are needed to further de-normalise tobacco and to protect children in particular but also adults from the dangers of tobacco consumption.