Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses for their comprehensive presentations and the work they are doing. I am concerned that it is 50 years since the first major report was published in the United States setting out the real risks of smoking and the health difficulties is was causing. While we have moved on somewhat in 50 years, we have not really got the message across to a large percentage of the population around the world. In most countries, well in excess of 20% of the population are smoking. I hope that whatever progress has been made in the last 50 years, we can at least treble it in the next ten years. Are we doing enough to get the message across even on simple issues? Despite the economic downturn during the past five to six years, it is costing a person who is smoking 20 cigarettes per day well over €3,500 per year in real terms. We have highlighted the health issues but I am not sure we have highlighted the financial costs. Should we not also examine that aspect of campaigns?

The real financial cost of cigarettes should be highlighted as well as the cost healthwise. For instance, if a person decided not to smoke 20 cigarettes a day, they would save €3,500 per year, which is the price of two holidays. We have not been that subtle in the way we are providing such information. It is something we should examine. It is right to highlight the health risks but we should also focus on the financial benefits of giving up smoking. Perhaps the witnesses could give us their own views on that. In addition, how can we fast-track reducing the numbers further? In fairness, all the witnesses are doing their own job in selling that message but I wonder what their plans are for the coming three to four years.