THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Ireland is to become the first country in the European Union to ban branding on cigarette packages by using plain packaging and uniform labelling.
All trademarks, logos, colours and graphics will be removed from tobacco products sold in Ireland under the new rules, the health ministry said, after the proposal secured backing from the government.
Dr James Reilly, the country’s health minister, said while many arguments will be made against the move, he is confident the legislation will be justified and supported purely by the fact that it will save lives.
“Smoking places an enormous burden of illness and mortality on our society, with over 5,200 people dying every year from tobacco-related diseases,” he said.
“One in two of all smokers will die from their addiction.
“To replace the smokers who quit, the tobacco industry needs to recruit 50 new smokers in Ireland every day just to maintain smoking rates at their current level.”
Dr Reilly also admitted that his father and brother, both doctors, died from smoking-related illness. » | Reuters and PA | Tuesday, May 28, 2013
My comment:
They can plain-package cigarettes as much as they like, but they won't make smoking any less sexy. – © Mark
