Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important that we listen to the views expressed by the organisations that appear before this committee. A number of serious facts were presented this morning and I learned a lot. The Irish Cancer Society stated that 5,200 people die prematurely per year, that 25% of the Irish population smoke, that one in two long-term smokers will die from smoking-related diseases and that smoking is an addiction. Harm from smoking begins immediately and ranges from addiction to serious damage to the heart and lungs. The earlier children become regular smokers, the greater the risk of developing heart or lung disease, or cancer.

ASH Ireland stated that our health services spend more than €1 billion annually on tobacco-related diseases, that the evidence indicates standardised packaging is less attractive to young people, that tobacco is directly linked to serious diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and asthma, and that the tobacco industry now accepts that nicotine is highly addictive.

The Irish Asthma Society stated that tobacco smoke is one of the most common and dangerous triggers of asthma attacks, that 470,000 people in Ireland have asthma, that Ireland has the fourth largest prevalence of asthma worldwide and that 60% of people in Ireland have uncontrolled asthma, which means they are at risk of asthma attacks. One in every ten adults and one in every five children has asthma. The Irish Heart Foundation noted that socialising remains a key driver for smoking and that the biggest barrier to giving up smoking is a night out. Smoking is seen as equating to more fun, a way to fit in and an opportunity to interact with others.

COPD Support Ireland stated that approximately 11,000 admissions to hospitals per year are COPD related and that approximately 120,000 beds are utilised by COPD patients. It costs €4,086 for an uncomplicated admission and €7,749 for a complicated one. The average length of stay is nine days.

The witnesses agreed that packaging offers tobacco companies a powerful opportunity to recruit new smokers, particularly among young people. They suggested that reducing the appeal of tobacco products can play a vital role in reducing the impact of tobacco on health among Irish adults and children. As a non-smoker, I am especially concerned about the risk of passive smoking to people with chronic respiratory conditions. If this legislation is passed, what level of reduction would the witnesses expect in the number of smokers in Ireland?