A Government ban on packs of ten cigarettes, due to come into law today, has been delayed by the tobacco industry.
Anti-smoking campaigners want to outlaw the ten-packs in a bid to stop children from starting smoking.
However the tobacco industry have advised the Health Department that there are logistical difficulties in complying immediately with the ban.
A Department spokesperson said: "Submissions were received on behalf of the tobacco industry which indicated that there would be logistical problems with the introduction of the ban on this date as stocks of packaging material have already been ordered and stocks of tobacco products have already been manufactured and are in the distribution chain
"These representations are being considered and while no final decision has yet been made, the ban will not be introduced with effect from October 2nd."
Similar difficulties arose in recent years with the phasing out of tobacco brand descriptions such as 'light' and 'mild'.
The Office of Tobacco Control has found that packs of ten cigarettes are popular with three quarters of younger smokers and has been urging the Government to introduce the ban.
The restriction is already provided for in the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002.
Research conducted by the National Health Screening service in Norway showed that even a few cigarettes a day can triple the risk of lung cancer and heart disease. Up to 7,000 Irish people die from tobacco-related diseases each year.
PA