Irish retailers have given thousands of postcards to the to the Minister for Health to protest new tobacco laws.

The delivery was made by retailers along with their employees to James Reilly at Leinster House in protest at government plans to standardise tobacco products.

Plans are in place to standardise cigarette packets which would remove branding from them.

It would also only allow roll-your-own tobacco to be sold in large bags.

Similar legislation on generic cigarette packaging has already been enforced in Australia.

Further plans for smoking legislation

The Health Minister has also confirmed that he plans to extend the smoking ban to cars where children are present.

The new laws are expected to come into force this summer.

Passengers and drivers face fines of €3,000, if they smoke in a commercial or private vehicle where children are present.

Those opposed to the new laws say it will be difficult to enforce but it is understood under the new legislation Gardaí will be allowed rely solely on visual evidence if cases come before the courts.

But interest groups say generic packaging will hurt their business.