Mr. Gavin Maguire:

Deputy McLellan asked some specific questions regarding health but before I address those, she also asked a question regarding the correlation between price and illegal trade. A number of international studies dispute the study she quoted in terms of the correlation, although undoubtedly there is a correlation. Most international experts would say that the price of cigarettes is a very important element in regard to discouraging tobacco use. Many international reports say there is some correlation between price and illegal trade, but it is still worth increasing price.

On the specific health issues, the Deputy said the one in every two smokers dying from tobacco-related illness was a shocking figure. It is incredibly shocking. On the cost of tobacco related illness to the HSE, a 2009 European study estimated the cost at over €600 million. However, it is not just an issue of cost, but of the destruction of lives. The Deputy asked a question about increased fines being included in the Bill. The HSE does not have a role in that, but we would encourage the Minister to ensure the fines are at the upper end of the scale. We are involved in enforcement of current legislation on tobacco and we frequently feel that the levels of fines imposed do not act as a sufficient deterrent. Therefore, we would call for them to be increased, particularly in the case of this Bill because we are referring to tobacco companies with very deep pockets.

I will defer now to my colleague, Laura Garvey, on the next question concerning the two recommendations made in our opening statement.