Regulation of nicotine marketing products to be sold in plain packaging. Tobacco advertising on radio, television and billboards is illegal. In July 2009, in-store tobacco advertising and displays of tobacco were made illegal – Ireland being the first country in the EU (and third in the world, after Canada and Iceland) to do so. Ireland plans to adopt the Australian model of plain-packaged cigarettes which is due to begin in September 2017. The relevant EU directives banning tobacco advertising apply within the United Kingdom, in addition to UK laws restricting tobacco advertising. The first calls to restrict advertising came in 1962 from the Royal
Plain tobacco packaging UK regulations forbid "logos or promotional images … inserts … discounts … offers … information about nicotine, tar or carbon monoxide … lifestyle or environmental benefits [and] mentions or depictions of taste, smell or the absence thereof", while mandating "drab dark brown coloured packaging", specific package shapes and a specific font (Helvetica 14-point) for brand names. The UK is also bound by the EU's Tobacco Products Directive (2014) which included a requirement for combined health warnings (picture, text and information on how to stop) covering 65 per cent of both the front and back of packaging. Plain tobacco packaging Plain