Health Minister Edwin Poots has been challenged by Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson to bring the North into line with Britain and Republic by “urgently” implementing the legislation to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products or “to spell out where the hold-up is.”
As Shadow Rapporteur working on putting the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) through the legislative process in Europe, Ms Anderson has been driving the fight against “Big Tobacco” interests – one of her key priorities since taking office.
She said: “The British government has announced its intention to introduce legislation bringing in plain packaging for tobacco products before the next Westminster election.
“This is a major reversal for the tobacco industry lobbying machine. With the Health Minister in Dublin already well advanced in his preparations to legislate on this issue it is imperative that Assembly Health Minister, Edwin Poots bring forward similar legislation so that there will be uniform regulations throughout these islands.
“I first called on the Assembly Minister to introduce this legislation back in November last year and I am disappointed in his lack of action in the interim. Since Sinn Féin is clear in its support for this legislation the question needs to be asked – where is the hold-up coming from?
“The packet is one of the last marketing devices in Europe left for the tobacco industry to exploit the opportunity to attract new young smokers to its products.
“With 94% of smokers taking up the deadly habit before the age of 25, it is essential that governments across the world ensure that this ‘silent sales aide’ is restricted as much as possible.
“2300 people – mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers, sisters, nephews or nieces – will die in the next twelve months in the North of Ireland and over 7000 across the island because of smoking related illnesses.”
Ms Anderson concluded: “All EU members are signatories to the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention for Tobacco Control which obliges governments to ensure that public health policies are protected from undue influence from tobacco industry lobbying. Edwin Poots must act without delay to ensure the North is compliant with both the spirit and letter of this obligation.”
