Ireland to vote on introducing plain cigarette packets to cut smoking rates

Ten years since setting a trend with its workplace smoking ban, Ireland is pushing ahead to be the first EU state with plain packaging for cigarettes despite fierce opposition from tobacco companies.

As part of Dublin's plan to make Ireland a smoke-free society by 2025 - meaning a prevalence rate of under 5 per cent - lawmakers will vote to introduce plain packaging in the new year.

Under the draft legislation before parliament, all forms of branding, including logos and colours, would be banned and all products would have a uniform packaging with graphic health warnings.

"The cigarette box is the last form of advertising that the industry has," said James Reilly, Ireland's minister for children who is spearheading the drive.

"Children are influenced by advertising. I believe this will prevent many children from taking up cigarette smoking." In March 2004, Ireland became the first country in the world to adopt a total workplace smoking ban. A decade on, Ireland is at the forefront for Europe, following Australia's introduction of similar plain packaging legislation in 2012.

Canberra's move was met with fierce opposition by tobacco companies and other nations, particularly tobacco-producing economies.