New laws introducing only plain packaging for cigarettes could be passed by the Oireachtas as early as this evening.

Children's Minister James Reilly is to bring the legislation before the Dáil this afternoon. Its expected it will be voted upon almost immediately and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Bill 2014 will then be passed to the President to sign into law.

It will make Ireland the first country in Europe to pass plain packaging laws.

This is despite looming threats from Japanese Tobacco Industries, the group that owns the Benson and Hedges and Silk Cut brands.

But Reilly has vowed to press ahead, saying he will not be bowing to pressure from tobacco firms.

But will this law mean the end of the Irish tobacco industry as we know it?

Kathleen O'Meara of the Irish Cancer Society and John Mallon from Forest Ireland spoke to Newstalk Lunchtime.

Ms O'Meara says this will be a huge deterrent for young people to take up smoking.

While Mr Mallon says this will severely hurt the tobacco industry.