Ireland Becomes First EU Country to Institute New Laws on Cigarette Packaging

The Health Minister of Ireland, Dr. James Reilly announced that Ireland would be clamping down on cigarette advertising with new and much tougher laws. The country would put down laws requiring tobacco products to use only plain cigarette packaging. Ireland is the first country in the European Union (EU) to make the move and only the second in the world after Australia. Dr. Reilly said that this initiative would put a stop to marketing tactics such as the use of specific colors, styles and packet sizes just to attract younger consumers, in particular, girls to start smoking.

The announcement was made in anticipation of “World No Tobacco Day” on Friday. The theme for this year is “Ban tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.” The announcement was lauded by the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society. On the other hand, tobacco companies and retailers expressed only criticism, saying that the move would be harmful to the economy.

Standardized labeling and packaging

Cigarette packaging is usually characterized by colorful and attractive packaging. They act as mobile advertisements aimed to recruit new smokers. The reform on cigarette packaging is essentially a move to change the status quo and require tobacco companies to follow a standard form and uniform packaging.

With this forthcoming legislation, cigarette boxes sold in Ireland will be rid of all logos and graphics and will use a neutral color and generic size. No other design will be present on the box except for the name of the brand on the bottom of the pack printed in a uniform typeface. The harmful effects of cigarette smoking would also be showcased in large pictures such as those of blackened rotting lungs.

Anti-smoking agenda

In 2004 Ireland has put into effect a smoking ban which prohibits smoking in restaurants and bars. It was the first country to do so. In 2007, Ireland started prohibiting the sale of ten packs. In 2009, adverts and retail displays were banned. And just this year, pictures of dire health warnings were required on packets. The ministry is targeting enactment of the legislation one year from now. There may be many arguments, but Dr. Reilly is confident that it would be passed just for the same reason that the law would save lives.

Personal and professional campaign

The Minister of Health shared that this campaign is close to him in many ways. The minister has lost both his father and brother to tobacco-related diseases. Both were doctors, who knew full well the risks of smoking but could not be rid of their addiction. Dr. Reilly’s brother died of lung cancer while his father was prematurely blinded after having a stroke. And being a physician himself, the minister said that he had seen enough suffering in his career from tobacco-related illness.

Alarming statistics

One in two smokers will die from smoking. Every year, more than 5,000 people die from a number of diseases attributed to habitual tobacco use. Dr. Reilly says that the burden of illness and mortality in society brought on by smoking is enormous. Surveys in Ireland have revealed that 78% of smokers started with the habit when they were under 18 years old. This is one reason why tobacco companies are promoting and marketing to younger consumers in order to replace those who have decided to quit or have already died.

Photo Credit: Cigarette Packaging