Mr. Damien Peelo:

In respect of Deputy McLellan's questions, we support the call for the standardised size of a pack of cigarettes so that it cannot be used as a branding form, for example, slim or long cigarettes, and you cannot distinguish between the different brands. We know that branding works. It will not stop people being addicted but it could be a key shock factor that helps people want to come off cigarettes. Branding works because marketing companies exist and make a lot of money out of branding.

Having something in plain packaging will certainly go a long way. Deputy Healy asked us to confirm whether we think it will result in a reduction in the number of those who start smoking. COPD Support Ireland expects that it will be a major step forward in preventing people from taking up smoking but other cross-departmental strategies will also be required to address the link between social deprivation and smoking.

Senator Colm Burke asked about the cost. It is a key strategy for saving money that could be spent in other areas, such as improving health and well being. The savings to the State alone would be considerable through, for example, reducing the cost of hospital stays for COPD patients. For these reasons, we fully support this legislation.