James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said to the media earlier, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and many people take the opportunity to consider trying to quit smoking again. Let me reiterate that it is a case of try, try and try again. The day a person gives up smoking is the day he or she will make the most important impact on his or her longevity and well-being.

To address the concerns of the retailers, there is a certain amount of money in circulation and if people have more money for things other than cigarettes they will spend the money on other things. I believe it should never ever be a case of jobs over lives. There are ways and means in other spheres of supporting people to produce a product that does not kill one in two of those who use it regularly. This is the only legal product we know that when used as per the manufacturer's instructions will kill one of every two who use it regularly.