Dáil debates

Wednesday, 4 April 2007

11:00 am

Photo of Tom KittTom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I was making the point with regard to wage negotiations that if there was an increase in excise duty of, say, 25 cent on a packet of cigarettes, it would add approximately 0.4% to the rate of inflation. Any discussion on this issue relates to national agreements and agreements with the social partners. There are realities and facts with regard to consumer goods, irrespective of whether we like them.

The Government has done much work in reducing consumption, in particular the Minister, Deputy Martin, in banning smoking in the workplace. This is reflected in the figures. As I said, tobacco as a percentage of total expenditure in 2000 was 3.6% and in 2005, it was 2.6%.

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