Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 12 July 2012, if the successful introduction of plain or standardised packaging for tobacco products in Australia has encouraged him to consider introducing plain or standardised packaging for tobacco products here; if he will confirm if his Department or the Health Service Executive have conducted any qualitative or quantitative analysis on the effectiveness the introduction of plain or standardised packaging for tobacco products would have in reducing smoking prevalence here; if he will detail the nature and findings of such analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45767/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department has not conducted or commissioned studies specifically relating to plain or generic packaging of tobacco products. It is recognised that in an environment of increasing prohibition of tobacco advertising and sponsorship worldwide, the cigarette pack has become a key marketing tool for the tobacco industry to promote their products. I welcome the recent victory of the Australian Government in defence of its plain packaging legislation. I am supportive of any international developments in relation to plain or standardised packaging.

Plain packaging is one of the issues being considered in the context of the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive by the European Commission in consultation with Member States. As I indicated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 12th July 2012, I have indicated in discussions with the European Commission, my wish that the proposal for a revision of the Directive be published as soon as possible in order for Ireland to significantly progress it during the Presidency in January 2013. The introduction of plain packaging is also being considered by the Tobacco Policy Review Group which is expected to report within a matter of months.