James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand no amendments have been proposed to the Bill. Therefore, I take the opportunity to thank all of the Deputies who have supported and contributed to the debate on the Bill. While there is an obligation placed on Ireland to change its laws on the minimum pricing of tobacco, I am pleased Deputies have supported my initiatives as set out in the Bill in tackling some of the sales promotion strategies of the tobacco industry. Smoking is one of those issues which always generates lively debate, rightly so. Whether it be as smokers, ex-smokers, anti-smokers, relatives or friends of smokers, the issue touches so many of us during our lives and there are many views on how we should deal with it.

I am pleased that in a recent report on tobacco undertaken by the European Commission Irish citizens were in the top rankings in their support of initiatives. For example, we had the highest ranking among EU countries in our support of the banning of advertising from the point of sale in shops, a ban which has been introduced in Ireland. Also we were ranked top in our support of banning the sale of tobacco on the Internet and also of the banning of colours, logos and promotion elements from cigarette packs. Some 90% of Irish people surveyed support the placing of graphic warnings on cigarette packs, which I am happy to say were introduced last Friday. This is important evidence of support and I am heartened that the people have a real appetite to tackle the problem of smoking. It is very clear that the graphic displays have had a very positive effect in other jurisdictions, particularly in Canada, where, after the introduction of this measure, smokers stated they were four times more likely to attempt to give up cigarettes.

I know of no smoker who wishes his or her child to become a smoker. I have made it clear that in a survey conducted by my Department and the Office of Tobacco Control 78% of smokers said they had started smoking when they were minors, under the age of 18 years. We have a duty to protect our children from this industry which seeks to promote the consumption of tobacco. If nearly 80% started smoking when they were children, clearly, there is a major focus on children.

It is difficult to say anything good about an industry that seeks to cause an addiction to its product that is a cause of a disease from which one out of every two users will die. Many say there is a lot that is evil about the cigarette industry. It is my intention, with the support of members, to ensure we will work towards a tobacco free society and that will we keep to the fore the outcomes for the people. There are some 5,200 deaths annually in Ireland and nearly 700,000 across Europe as a result of tobacco related diseases.

I, again, thank members for their support for the Bill. I will continue to seek their support for the various initiatives I propose to bring to the Oireachtas. I commend the Bill to the select sub-committee.