195. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to Article 18 of the Havana Declaration, supported by the United Nations, and its implication on the plain tobacco packaging legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8684/15]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): The introduction of standardised packaging has the support of the Government and has been considered and approved by Government. As the Deputy is aware, the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 was passed by the Seanad and completed Second Stage in the Dáil during 2014. The Bill completed Committee Stage in the Dáil on 17 February 2015 and Report and Final Stages are scheduled to take place today, 26 February.

I would remind the Deputy that tobacco consumption is today the greatest single cause of preventable illness and premature death in Ireland, killing over 5,200 people a year; that smokers die on average 10 years sooner than non-smokers; and that one in every two of smokers will die from a tobacco related disease. I am of the view that standardised packaging for tobacco products is a proportionate, evidence-based public health measure which will assist, together with the other many initiatives outlined in Tobacco Free Ireland, in reducing the overall prevalence of smoking in Ireland.