Ireland to introduce plain packaging?
Touched down at Dublin Airport at 11.15.
Arrived at my hotel at 12.00, checked into my room and was greeted with a text that read:
Expecting statement from [Health Minister James] Reilly at 1.00pm to announce plain packaging memo agreed by Cabinet.
Oh, great.
Currently watching RTE's One O'Clock News but no mention of it ... Perhaps Reilly is making the announcement at this very moment.
As luck would have it I have a pre-arranged meeting with Forest Eireann spokesman John Mallon at 1.30. Perfect timing to plot our response, if the report is true.
I'll keep you posted.
Update: RTE News has just confirmed that the Irish Government is to draft legislation to introduce standardised packaging of tobacco:
Cabinet backs plan for plain cigarette packaging (RTE News)
Update: The Journal has the story here too – Plain pack cigarettes will ‘save lives’ and prevent child smokers.
Update: Ireland set to introduce 'plain pack' cigarettes (Newstalk). Includes a comment by John Mallon.
I need a stiff drink.
Luckily I have arranged to meet some fellow libertarians at the pub above.
The Gingerman in Fenian Street is listed as one of the 'top ten bars to drink with the locals in Dublin'.
It's also the Taoiseach’s local watering hole. With luck he may pop in to say hello ...