Written answers
Thursday, 29 February 2024
Department of Health
Tobacco Control Measures
David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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16. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of the use in certain retail outlets of text only, large, colourful and attention-grabbing posters which are used to highlight a select number of tobacco products for sale; if he has examined whether such posters are contrary to regulations and standards; if he has sought an update on enforcement where this is the case; if he will address through regulation this issue which allows for the use of these attention-grabbing price lists for tobacco products in retail stores; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9683/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of efforts by a small number of retailers to use the tobacco price list in a manner that resembles an advertisement. The Deputy previously raised this issue during the passage of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023.
Price lists are provided for in section 43(5) of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 and are prescribed in the Public Health (Tobacco) (Product Information) Regulations 2009, SI 123 of 2009.
The Environmental Health Service of the HSE, the enforcement body for the Tobacco Acts, has already taken action against what it determines to be an inappropriate use of price lists. It has also discussed this issue with my Department and has not sought any amendments to the current Regulations. Currently it appears to be a matter of enforcement rather than further legislation, though that option remains available if amendments to the current Regulations would be of use for enforcement purposes.
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