Industry figures call on Government to reject proposals to ban menthol and roll-your-own products.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny received a delegation of senior tobacco industry figures in Government Buildings a fortnight ago, the first time any Taoiseach has conducted formal talks with the industry.
Mr Kenny was accompanied by ministers Michael Noonan and Alan Shatter at the meeting with the Irish Tobacco Manufacturers’ Advisory Committee, which raised concern about the rise in smuggling.
The meeting took place on the evening of May 7th. Present were: chief executive of the PJ Carroll company, Steven Donaldson; chief of John Player, Andrew Meaghar; and chief of Japan Tobacco International, John Freda.
A spokesman for Mr Noonan acknowledged the talks had taken place, but declined to comment further. According to a Government source, the emphasis was on measures to combat and the illicit tobacco trade.
However, the industry figures also called on the Government to reject proposals in a draft EU tobacco directive to ban menthol and roll-your-own products. They also want the Government to reject measures in the draft directive on standardised and plain packaging.
Source: Arthur Beesley, Irish Times, 23/05/13
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