Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

230. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding plain packaging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15899/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, I received Government approval on 19th November 2013 to proceed with drafting the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2013. Standardised packaging, also known as generic packaging, means that all forms of branding – trademarks, logos, colours and graphics – would be removed, except for the brand and variant names, which would be presented in a uniform typeface for all brands on the market. All packs would be in a plain neutral colour, except for the mandatory health warnings and the tax stamp. The objective is to make all tobacco packs look less attractive to consumers and to make health warnings more prominent.

Article 8.1 of the World Trade Organisation Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement states that members may, in formulating or amending their laws and regulations, adopt measures necessary to protect public health, provided such measures are consistent with the provisions of the agreement. The introduction of standardised packaging forms the latest strand of a comprehensive range of tobacco control legislation already in place in Ireland aimed at decreasing tobacco consumption in this country.