Ireland yesterday became the first country in Europe and the second in the world to pass plain packaging laws for tobacco.
Anti-smoking campaigners were quick to celebrate and they brought their children – bearing an assortment of PR friendly placards – with them. Now that's what I call child abuse!
Forest reacted as best we could. John Mallon, our man in Cork, appeared on RTE News and was interviewed on radio by Newstalk, and, this morning, Clare FM.
He also featured in news bulletins on the following stations: 4FM, FM104, Galway Bay FM, KCLR FM, Limerick 95FM, Northern Sound and Tipp FM.
On Monday he was interviewed on UTV Ireland Live with our old friend Dr Luke Clancy, formerly of ASH Ireland.
Forest Eireann's full response, issued yesterday, was:
Campaigners have urged the government to postpone the implementation of standardised packaging for cigarettes until ministers have assessed the impact of other tobacco control measures.
Legislation to introduce plain packaging will move a step closer to becoming law today but the smokers' group Forest Eireann wants the government to delay the introduction of the measure.
Spokesman John Mallon said: "The government should wait until it has assessed the impact of the larger health warnings that are being introduced next year as part of the European Union's revised Tobacco Products Directive.
"This legislation is the result of a personal crusade by children's minister James Reilly. It is deeply flawed. There's no evidence plain packaging will stop children smoking."
He added: "Evidence from Australia suggests that standardised packaging could fuel illicit trade by playing into the hands of counterfeiters and criminal gangs.
"Ultimately that could be far more harmful to children because criminals don't care who they sell to."
PS. I don't think John was impressed but this tweet made laugh.
Seriously? Forest Éireann John Mallon #SmokersRights @UTVIreland #smoking pic.twitter.com/IXjE1u1NMS
— Melanie May (@_melaniemay) March 3, 2015