Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question 245 on the 12 of July 2012, if his support of international developments in relation to plain or standardised packaging for tobacco products is conditional on Irish Customs or Revenue assessments on the negative impact the introduction of such a measure could have on the illicit cigarette trade here; if he will confirm whether the high level of illicit cigarette trade here is negatively impacting on the effectiveness of anti-tobacco public health policies currently in place such as high taxation, the point of sale display ban and age verification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48111/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As stated previously, I am supportive of any international developments in relation to plain or standardised packaging for tobacco products. Plain packaging is one of the issues being considered in the context of the Tobacco Products Directive by the European Commission. It is hoped that the Commission will publish this legislative proposal in the near future. Recent international developments together with the forthcoming revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive will inform policy direction in this area.

I understand that the Revenue Commissioners will also examine the matter in light of any specific proposals that may be brought forward in the context of the revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive. Included in this examination is the requirement that packs of cigarettes must carry a tax stamp issued by Revenue. I am advised that whether a pack of cigarettes carries a genuine tax stamp is a key means for distinguishing between legal and illegal products, irrespective of the way in which the cigarettes are packaged. All tobacco products, whether legally produced, illicit or counterfeit are injurious to health and are therefore a threat to public health. I am concerned about the level of smoking in this country and it remains my objective that Ireland becomes a tobacco free society. The Report of the Tobacco Policy Review Group will identify further policy and legislative measures to be taken in order to reduce smoking prevalence in this country. The Report is due to be published in the coming months.

There is no doubt that the illicit trade in tobacco products poses a problem in this country. Combating this illegal trade is, therefore, a top priority for the Revenue Commissioners, who undertake a comprehensive programme of activity against it, aimed in particular at preventing importation of illicit product and prosecuting those involved in bringing it into the country or selling it here. Considerable success is being achieved in combating this illegal activity. In the period from January to October this year, for example, the Revenue Commissioners seized some 91 million smuggled cigarettes, along with almost 4 tonnes of tobacco. During that period there were over 100 convictions for smuggling or selling of illegal tobacco products.