The rush by Ireland’s health minister to bring in legislation to force tobacco companies to use plain packaging on cigarettes looks like it will come to nothing for at least three years, if ever, because the legislation must be referred to the European Commission before it can become law.
As reported by Breitbart London on June 10th health minister Dr James Reilly said his legislation was “significant step forward” in control of the tobacco industry in Ireland. It would make Ireland the first country in Europe to ban all logos, trademarks and colours on cigarette packs, leaving only the brand name in standardised typeface.
Today the Irish Independent reports that the clampdown on packaging won’t come in for another three years, if it ever makes it into law at all: “Dr Reilly has rushed ahead with his legislation for plain packaging, before clearing difficult EU approval hurdles.”
The legislation will be introduced into both houses of parliament, but can then go no further until a six-month consultation period at the European Commission. A number of other EU member states are expected to object to the legislation “on the basis of interference with intellectual property and the open market.”