Minister for Health James Reilly has said that he encourages "other retailers to follow Tesco’s lead" and remove sweets from checkouts.
Welcoming Tesco's announcement, Minister Reilly said that he hoped it would be "the first step in a new commitment by our retail sector to help make the healthier choice the easier choice for people and their families. Obesity is a major challenge for our society and all sectors have a role to play in creating a healthier Ireland”
He said that the retail sector can play an "an important role in building a healthier Ireland", not just by seeking to address the consumption of so-called 'top-shelf' foods, but also in "supporting healthier diets overall."
He added: "This includes working towards a tobacco free Ireland and addressing other public health issues such as alcohol misuse.”
