NFRN Ireland has warned that plain packs will have serious unintended consequences for retailers and the wider Irish economy.
The retail organization is calling on the government and opposition to challenge Health Minister James Reilly on his proposal, due to be discussed in the Dail this week.
The NFRN have raised concerns that plain packaging will make it easier for criminals to replicate cigarette logos.
This in turn will make it easier for smokers to confuse counterfeit products for legal cigarettes, leading to growth in the illicit market.
Furthermore, as criminals do not discriminate against selling to children, this practice is likely to increase should plain packaging be introduced, according to the NFRN.
“NFRN Ireland members are in the front line,” said NFRN Ireland president Peter Steemers. “They see their tobacco sales falling. They see illegal trade literally on their doorsteps taking away their livelihood.
“Throughout this process Minister Reilly has shown scant regard for the legitimate concerns of retailers in relation to plain packaging in spite of the evidence emerging from Australia that it doesn’t work and instead fuels the illicit trade.
“Irish retailers should not be used as guinea pigs for untried and untested policies that could expose the retail sector and Irish taxpayers to significant losses at a time of ongoing economic difficulty.”
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Conor William O’Brien
