The Health Minister says tobacco companies will fight him with billions on plain packaging for cigarettes but he will fight them with the moral authority of the Irish people.

James Reilly made the comments at the publication of a report into plans to change packaging of tobacco companies.

The 1,100 page report from the Oireachtas Health Committee makes 26 recommendations many of which the Minister already planned.

The cross-party Committee on Health and Children is recommending that the government goes ahead with plans to introduce the plain packs.

The proposed packs would be brown in colour with no branding and will carry the name of the manufacturer in a plain font - along with graphic imagery.

James Reilly says he will fight the tobacco companies with everything he has.

Meanwhile newsagents have expressed their disappointment following the publication of the Oireachtas report.

The National Federation of Retail Newsagents says their concerns regarding illicit trade have been discarded in a rush to introduce legislation on plain packaging for tobacco. Retailers say it will cause a spike in illegal cigarettes, as it they will be easier to counterfeit.

Our reporter Juliette Gash asked some smokers in Dublin about the proposed packs and asked them would it put them off the habit.