Labor congratulates Ireland on becoming the first nation to follow Australia’s lead and adopt Labor’s world leading plain packaging laws.
The legislation was passed through the Irish Parliament overnight with unanimous support and applause, in a massive endorsement of Australia’s approach to tobacco control.
With other European countries also moving to adopt plain packaging laws, Australia has again led the world in ground breaking measures to control smoking.
Ireland’s move is another triumph for public health advocates, and a resounding endorsement of the strategy Labor adopted in government under Health Minister Nicola Roxon.
Labor’s example in staring down the ferocious legal attacks from big tobacco are now inspiring the rest of the world to follow this major advance in public health.
Each year smoking kills 15,000 people in Australia. The economic and social cost of smoking is estimated at $31.5 billion a year.
Only the tobacco industry thinks plain packaging is a bad thing – and Labor now looks forward to other nations joining Ireland in following Australia’s lead.