The case for public health

Dara Gantly makes the case for increasing spending and legislative time on public health Last week was a good one for public health in Ireland, with the signing of the commencement order for the standardised packaging provisions of the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015. From September 30, all new products must be in standardised retail packaging, with all forms of trademarks, logos, colours and graphics removed, in favour of one plain, neutral colour, with brand names presented in uniform typeface. There will be a so-called ‘wash through period’, meaning any products manufactured and placed on the market…