One major tobacco company engaged 161 lobbyists at a cost of several million euros to stop plain packaging on cigarette boxes, Minister for Children James Reilly has claimed.
Dr Reilly is today addressing a major anti-tobacco conference organised by the World Health Organisation conference which is being held in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
In his speech to the conference, he will discuss the Government's move to introduce plain packaging in Ireland, despite the aggressive attempts of the tobacco industry to stop it.
"Despite their billions of euro and hidden connections, the tobacco industry can be defeated. We must rise to the challenge to protect our children from a killer addiction," he says.
He will tell delegates as to the extreme steps taken by the tobacco industry to fight plain packaging.
"It was only when the plain packaging directive made its way to the European Parliament that we saw the full power and influence of the tobacco industry," he says.
Source: Irish Independent, 19/03/15
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