The Northern Ireland government has confirmed it will implement the UK-wide proposed regulations on standardised packaging for cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco.
The decision comes after the Welsh government gave its consent last week to introduce legislation. Scotland is yet to confirm its consent.
Northern Ireland Health Minister Jim Wells said: "Branding on cigarette packets provides one of the last opportunities for tobacco companies to promote their products.
"Evidence shows that young people are more receptive to this type of advertising than adults."
The move by the UK is part of an effort to improve public health and prevent the uptake of smoking by children.
Wells said: "I believe that standardised packaging has the potential to contribute to a further reduction in child and adult smoking prevalence and look forward to this measure being introduced in Northern Ireland."
Likely to take effect in 2016, the regulation will require packaging of cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco products with mandatory colours and text and required markings such as health warnings.
All products need to meet the directives of a standard colour with dull brown on the outside and white on the inside; all text on the packaging, including brand name and variant, should be in a standard typeface; and there should be no branding, advertising or promotion on the pack.
It will coincide with European tobacco products directive, which will include tobacco control measures such as ban on flavourings, and packaging controls to combat illicit trade.
A review into the impact of standardised packaging on public health by paediatrician Cyril Chantler concluded that the measure is very likely to lead to a modest but significant reduction over time on the uptake of smoking.
