Tag Archives: Tobacco

Beggs calls on Health Minister to reaffirm commitment to plain packaging of tobacco products

The Ulster Unionist Party’s Health Spokesperson, Roy Beggs MLA, has called on Health Minister Edwin Poots to explain why his Party’s policy on plain packaging for tobacco products has changed. The East Antrim MLA made his comments after the DUP MPA, Ian Paisley Jnr, publically spoke out against the proposals. Roy Beggs said; “Last year the Ulster Unionist Party submitted a very favourable response to the consultation brought forward by the Department of Health in Westminster. This consultation exercise sought views on the proposal to require cigarette packs and other tobacco packaging to conform to a standardised format. If these proposals were to come into force then key branding features such as colours and font styles would be tightly regulated with a strict degree of conformity across brands.’ “In Northern Ireland approximately 1 in 4 people smoke, but consistent surveys and research reveals most people would like to stop were … Continue reading

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Roy Looks to improve Tobacco Retailers Bill at Committee stage

On the Health committee at Stormont, Roy has been pressing for joined up legislation so that all recent tobacco offences, illegal tobacco product sales as well as any underage sales, could be taken into consideration when Councils are granting trading licences. Here is the transcript of a briefing and question and answers session given by Departmental officials to the Health committee: Illicit Tobacco Sales: DHSSPS Briefing The Chairperson: Thanks very much for coming today, Elizabeth, Gerard and Jenny. You are more than welcome. I will hand straight over to you to make your introduction and presentation. I will then open it up for questions or comments. Dr Elizabeth Mitchell (Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety): Thank you, Sue, for inviting us back to discuss the important topic of illicit tobacco sales in Northern Ireland. You will remember that, on 24 October, we provided an initial briefing to the … Continue reading

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