Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

However, if a certain action, such as smoking, has a serious health effect on people it should not be condoned or tolerated. We live in a democracy and cannot bring in the prohibition of cigarette sales. Yet, smoking kills.

The Minister of State distributed the images that will be used on cigarette packets which graphically show the effects of smoking. Young schoolgirls have turned to smoking as an appetite suppressant and to help them not gain weight. They, however, just see the body beautiful image but not the long-term effects. The placement of images on packets will do much to dissuade young women from taking up smoking.

A friend of mine smokes up the chimney of his house believing the smoke will not affect the rest of us in the room. Second-hand smoke poses serious health risks. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are twice as likely to develop a neural or behavioural disorder, such as hypertension. The Tobacco Free Research Institute, Dublin, recently published a report which showed children in smoke-free homes tend to be in better health.

This Bill is about enhancing public health. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, for living up to her responsibilities in promoting better health. As well as putting the graphic images on cigarette boxes, will she consider putting the quit helpline number on them too? The cost of smoking to the health system runs into billions of euro. We must target young people to tackle the alarming rise in youth smoking. Will the Minister set up a campaign, using say town halls, to inform young people about the dangers of smoking?

Last year in Spain I was nearly nauseous from the smoke-filled restaurants and public places. I do not want to see Ireland return to those old ways. Unlike Deputy Durkan, I much prefer to go to a smoke-free bar. Last week at a match in Páirc Uí Chaoimh I noticed people smoking in the stands. Will sports organisations ban smoking at events? The campus at Cork University Hospital in Wilton is entirely smoke-free. However, some staff and visitors smoke at the hospital entrances, one of which is in a residential area and affects people's homes. I have already written to the hospital manager about this problem and I hope the Minister of State will take it up with the Health Service Executive.

I am concerned about the illegal smuggling of cigarettes. No one knows what these cigarettes contain and it is becoming a serious issue. A recent article in The Sunday Business Post cited Europol's claim that Ireland has the worst cigarette smuggling problem in the EU. Will the Department and the Revenue Commissioners develop a new strategy to target the illicit tobacco trade? This article also had a claim that the price of legitimate tobacco products was the most important factor affecting consumption.

This Bill is not part of a nanny-state approach but about public health. It will ensure we do what is best and right for our citizens and their health. We must remember we live in a democracy which gives us responsibilities as well as rights.

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