The Department of Health has confirmed that a Government ban on packs of 10 cigarettes has been delayed for "logistical reasons" within the tobacco industry.
Packs of 10 cigarettes were due to be banned from yesterday, as part of a campaign to stop teenagers in particular from starting to smoke.
However, the tobacco industry, in submissions to the Department of Health, said that for logistical reasons it could not meet the deadline.
No new deadline has been set for the ban. The prohibition on packs of 10 cigarettes is already provided for in the Public Health Tobacco Act 2002.
A department spokesman said that "it looks like the tobacco industry has won again but it hasn't. It is important to point out that similar difficulties arose when descriptions of cigarettes like 'light' and 'mild' were phased out. It should be seen in the same light as a temporary delay."
Following notices in the media in July about the proposed introduction of the ban, submissions were received by the tobacco industry, which said it had logistical problems.
Packaging material had already been ordered and stocks of tobacco products had been manufactured and were in the distribution chain and could not be easily recalled.
The submissions by the industry are being considered, according to the department, and no final decision has been made.
Anti-smoking campaigners have long sought a ban on packages of 10, because of their appeal to teenage boys.