labor not all bad

give some credit to labor - after all, they did introduce plain packaging for smokes, and it seems now that ireland is going to introduce similar legislation.


a part of the link

""I really genuinely want to commend the Australian government for showing the leadership that they've shown," he said."



from the abc website

"The Irish government is to follow Australia's lead and introduce laws to force the sale of cigarettes in plain packs.

The new laws are expected to come into force next year, and add to Ireland's already strong arsenal of anti-smoking legislation.

The Irish government led the world by banning smoking in pubs and restaurants in 2004.

Smoking is banned in Irish workplaces, all enclosed public places and public transport.

Under the new rules, trademarks, logos, colours and graphics will be removed from tobacco products sold in Ireland.

Irish Health Minister Dr James Reilly says the new laws will help reduce the 5,200 smoking-related deaths in his country each year.

"I really genuinely want to commend the Australian government for showing the leadership that they've shown," he said.

"We intend to carry on this side of the world that same battle because too many lives have been lost, too many families have been devastated and too many people are now suffering a very poor quality of life because of this drug."