Waiting for standardized packs

Plans to introduce in Ireland standardized packaging for tobacco products next year have been thrown into doubt as a result of the length of time it took to form a government following the most recent election, according to a story in the Irish Independent.

In correspondence with the tobacco industry, the Department of Health’s Tobacco and Alcohol Unit said the ‘unforeseen and unusual’ delay in the formation of the government had caused the delay in progressing the legislation.

The unit said that it did not know when the measure would be dealt with.

Former Children’s Minister James Reilly had pledged to ensure that standardized tobacco products would be on the country’s shelves in 2017.