Bishops welcome plain packaging for tobacco products

The Catholic bishops have welcomed the signing into law of plain packaging for tobacco products.

In a statement at the conclusion of their spring meeting in Maynooth on Wednesday, they said “over one million people smoke cigarettes on the island of Ireland” and the new law “is to be welcomed notwithstanding the pressure exerted by corporate lobbying or legal threats regarding this matter”.

“This important public health initiative should act as a deterrent, especially for teenagers, to prevent people from starting the highly addictive and damaging habit of smoking.”

Disappointment

They have also welcomed the proposed Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015, but expressed disappointment “that it does not include plans to phase-out advertising and marketing of sporting events by the drinks industry”.

Feedback from the Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative (IBDI) schools’ programmes clearly “points to the high level of influence exerted on young people by the drinks industry through its advertising, marketing and sponsorship campaigns,” they said.

“Sponsorship of sporting events targets young people and promotes a culture which suggests that healthy living is synonymous with alcohol consumption.

“The results can be devastating. It encourages underage and binge drinking, leading to alcohol dependence later in life.”