Reacting to the result of the European Parliament's Environment and Health Committee vote on tobacco legislation, Irish GUE/NGL MEP Martina Anderson said:

"Although it would have been fantastic to see standardised packaging adopted in the Environment Committee, it is a great result that the 75% coverage of the tobacco product packaging with combined health warnings has been maintained by the Committee. The tobacco industry has lobbied intensively to lower it so this is fantastic news for those of us who put the health of our young people before the profits of this industry".

"MEPs also voted in favour of medical regulation for e-cigarettes, a ban on slim cigarettes and a ban on menthol cigarettes. It is essential that we remain vigilant for the vote in the full plenary" she warned, referring to the vote on the dossier in September at Parliament's Strasbourg session.