Correction: The original version of this article included information, received from the Department of Health, which stated that menthol cigarettes will be banned from today. The ban will not be enforced until 2020.

NEW REGULATIONS THAT come into force in Ireland today include a ban on flavoured cigarettes.

Minister for Health Simon Harris signed the regulations, required under European Union directives, into Irish law today. The focus is on limiting the appeal of tobacco products, especially to young people.

Cigarettes with flavours like fruit or vanilla have become increasingly popular with young smokers in recent years and they will now no longer be legally available for sale. Menthol cigarettes, which represent more than 3% of the EU market share, will be phased out from today over the next few years.

Irish law now also includes regulation of e-cigarette and refill containers and stricter rules for advertising or sponsorship of these products.

The minister said these measures will further complement the Tobacco control initiatives already in place in Ireland and will help to drive down consumption.

“I also welcome the clarity provided on the regulation of e-cigarettes, which will give confidence to users in the safety and efficacy of these products,” Harris said.

He said he was delighted to hear that the UK government today successfully defended standardised packaging laws in the courts. A number of tobacco companies had appealed against the rules, which will mean cigarette packs sold in Britain will have to be olive green.

Cancer Research UK’s chief executive Harpal Kumar said this was “an important milestone in our efforts to reduce the devastating toll that tobacco exerts on so many families every day.”

“It’s the beginning of the end for packaging that masks a deadly and addictive product.”