Ireland will ban the sale of cigarettes in packs of less than 20 from May 31 in a bid to discourage children from smoking, the government said on Friday. The preference by youngsters for 10-packs has been shown internationally to be linked to price, the health and children ministry said.

“I believe the removal of packs of 10 will be a clear disincentive to young people to start the habit and continue smoking,” Sean Power, minister of state at the ministry, said.

The sale of confectioneries that resemble tobacco products will also be prohibited from the same date.

Ireland imposed the world’s first nationwide ban on smoking in the workplace - including pubs and restaurants - in 2004. Unveiling his 2007 budget this week, the finance minister added 50 cents to the price of 20 cigarettes, bringing the cost of a pack to around 7 euros ($9.30).

Reuters Health