Written answers

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Department of Finance

Tobacco Control Measures

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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202. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the plain packaging of cigarettes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37787/13]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The introduction of plain packaging on tobacco products is a matter for the Department of Health.

However, with regard to those matters to which you have referred which are under the remit of my Department, among the factors to be considered in the context of forthcoming proposals for amendment of the EU Tobacco Products Directive will be the requirement that all cigarettes that are offered for sale in the State must carry a tax stamp containing a range of sophisticated security features designed to prevent counterfeiting. An examination of whether a pack of cigarettes carries a genuine tax stamp is a key means for Revenue officials to distinguish between legal and illegal products, and this will continue to be the case irrespective of the way in which cigarettes are packaged.

This in addition to other measures currently being employed by Revenue will continue to ensure that a high priority is given to smuggling of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

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