Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin referred to retailers. Should we consider a change in the locations and times for selling tobacco, as in the case of alcohol?

I refer to a KPMG study commissioned by Philip Morris. The Roland Berger report was commissioned by Philip Morris and I studied that report very carefully and the statistics for job losses. The figures are based on estimates rather than evidence. The Australian data come from the trade and are not official figures. We, therefore, need to be very cautious. The words "smuggling" and "counterfeit" are frequently thrown around at these hearings. The only independent research on smuggling rates in Ireland has been carried out by Revenue and the HSE's National Tobacco Control Office. It shows a smuggling rate of 13% in Ireland, of which just 1% involves counterfeit product. The rest is imported legally by the industry.

I refer to the case of Andorra which will be well known to the delegates. The oversupply of cigarettes to Andorra means that it has so many cigarettes that every man, woman and child in the country would have to smoke 130 cigarettes a day. Last week's committee meeting was attended by the Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and the customs service. They told us that there was no evidence that the use of plain packaging would lead to an increase in the rate of smuggling. I ask that these views not be misrepresented because I have read statements that misrepresent what the Garda Síochána and customs officers said to us.

I have serious concerns about the Codentify software which has been developed by Philip Morris and which has serious technical limitations. All four major companies which endorse it - Philip Morris, BAT, JTI and Imperial Tobacco - have been accused of smuggling, yet the delegates are asking me to vest my confidence in that software. I have concerns about it.

The committee has been told that education is the answer.

Mr. Joe Sweeney cited California. I will do my research about California. In preparation for today's meeting we were given evidence about Germany and I looked at it. The reality is that Germany has the same smoking rate for 12 to 17 year-olds as Ireland. The evidence has shown that it is not education that has changed its figures but the effective reduction in youth smoking rates has been brought about by increased taxation and smoking bans.

The earlier session on medical evidence was compelling when it was stated that 95% of lung cancer is due to tobacco. We had medical testimonies one after the other and doctors who have dealt with people directly. We have had the children's groups coming in telling us about the marketing and how children are attracted to the product. One can say that is not the aim of the marketing or what is intended but then I have to question it given that 78% of smokers start before the age of 18. Either the companies are mispitching the marketing or it is very intentional.