Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the Minister for Helath, Dr. Holohan who has been with us all morning and Ms Luddy. I also welcome the briefing note from the tobacco and alcohol control unit in the Department of Health. I had sought an elaboration on the evidence for the potential success of the measure. The jury is still out on this measure, but there is adequate reassurance that this is worth doing, not so much that we will be seen to be doing something but as an end in itself. I welcome the publication of the heads of the planned legislation. It does not happen often enough and is a useful and informative initiative.

With regard to supporting evidence for the effectiveness of the introduction of plain packaging, we are meeting on the first anniversary of the introduction of a similar measure in Australia. It took place in December last year and I ask the Minister and Dr. Holohan if they have information on any intended report from the Australian Government or the health Hepartment in Australia on what happened in the first 12 months since its introduction and any results to which they can point. Among other countries considering the measure two are European, Britain and France. Can the Minister and Dr. Holohan provide us with an update on the point of consideration these two countries are at in this regard? Are they anywhere near where we are in dealing with proposed legislation?

Denormalisation, leading I hope to the goal of a significant reduction in tobacco use, if not its elimination, is a shared goal of the members of the committee. Some can be louder and others, calmer, but I am confident there is a shared rationale across all political views that this is a shared goal. It is not unique, but it is one on which we can all sign off. The Minister can take comfort in this.

With regard to the recent designation of hospital campuses as smoke-free - it happened in my constituency and was a welcome development - I ask the Chief Medical Officer whether it has been completely ruled out at this time. Are there hospital sites that have not pursued this development? Are there health facilities to which it does not apply? In the experience of those hospital sites that have only recently introduced the measure and where there was a pattern of smoking outside the door as against outside the gates, have there been problems presenting? Can we get an insight into what the Chief Medical Officer knows at this point about the success of this initiative following its introduction?

In regard to seized illegal tobacco products, by which I mean those on which tax had not been paid, from time to time we hear about, read and see such reports on television on seizures. How are the cigarettes seized disposed of? Perhaps the Chief Medical Officer does not know and perhaps it is the Revenue Commissioners that make the determination. I wonder whether the disposal of seized tobacco products, not knowing how it is done, could be used as another tool to demonstrate to the public their unacceptable nature. I hesitate to say incineration is the way to go as it may be in conflict with the very thought of creating a smoke-free environment. Perhaps the Chief Medical Officer might shed some light on this, but it could be a further aid in demonstrating to young people, in particular, how unacceptable smoking is for them and us, collectively, as a society.

I welcome the publication of the heads of the Bill and look forward to participating in the engagement with those who will present before us, who are equally committed and of a shared disposition in this matter.