Standardised tobacco packaging
Brian Walsh asked when the standardised tobacco-packaging Bill would be introduced; the Taoiseach said its heads had been cleared and that it would undergo committee hearings.
The Government - in particular the Minister for Health - is to be commended on the tough position adopted in respect of the tobacco industry. When can we expect to see the public health (standardised packaging of tobacco) Bill to be introduced? This important Bill is aimed at discouraging young people and particularly girls from engaging in the habit of smoking.
Comment on this
The heads of that Bill were cleared on 19 November. Many different groups are involved in this issue. Some 5,200 people will die in this country directly as a result of smoking. The Bill will go to the Oireachtas committee for hearings and Deputy Buttimer is in charge of that. I am sure he will take input from across the board.