merrion street

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs welcomes the judgements of the
European Court of Justice in relation to three challenges relating to the
2014 Tobacco Products Directive which was published this morning.

The judgements confirm the validity of the Directive which will allow for
the future EU-wide prohibition of menthol cigarettes, the introduction of
special rules for e-cigarettes and the further standardisation of packaging
by Member States.

“This is another important step in protecting our children from this
carcinogenic product which results in a tobacco related death of one in two
people who regularly use it.
I particularly welcome the European Courts view that the Directive provides
a legal basis for Ireland and other countries to introduce standardised
packaging of tobacco products which I believe will have a major effect in
preventing young people from ever taking up this killer habit which is
costing 5,870 people their lives in Ireland every year.

In the meantime I look forward to the progression of plain packaging
legislation here in Ireland.”