Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegates. We have heard this morning a series of absolutely shocking facts. One in every two smokers will die of a smoking-related illness. The ASH presentation stated 100 people will die this week of smoking-related illnesses. The tobacco industry is an industry of death. While we obviously welcome the reduction in recent years in the prevalence of smoking, which is now down to 22%, much more needs to be done. Plain packaging is required to prevent 50 people taking up smoking per day, which number is required to maintain the overall number of smokers. It is predominantly young people who take up smoking.

It was suggested that the Australian experience shows that it is not only plain packaging but also the size of the packaging that has an influence. Do the representatives believe the size of packaging should be covered in the legislation? The Australians have reduced the size of packaging in addition to introducing plain packaging. The introduction of a quitline is a helpful suggestion.

I said on the last occasion that what we really need from the representatives appearing before us is a very clear indication that they are absolutely satisfied that plain packaging will reduce the attractiveness of cigarette smoking among younger people. The representatives who were present last week were very clear on that and were happy to make the case. Are the representatives present today fully satisfied that plain packaging will reduce the number of people taking up smoking?

There is a suggestion that plain packaging will make it easier for criminal elements to sell cigarettes illegally. I do not believe that myself but I would like confirmation of it. I want to hear the position of the various organisations on that.