Ireland - second country globally to introduce plain packaging

Ireland has become the second country in the world to pass a law introducing mandatory plain packaging for tobacco products. A decision was taken last week and now is waiting to be signed by the President of the country. Full implementation of the law will be effective in May 2017, when all existing packaging must be removed from sale. The decision meets fierce opposition from the tobacco industry who have threatened the Government with legal action.

Ireland follows Australia's introduction of similar plain packaging legislation in 2012 which has shown clear positive results. Several other European countries such as the United Kingdom, Norway, France, Finland, Turkey are currently working towards plain packaging.