Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I wish to make a number of brief points. I understand what the Minister of State is trying to achieve with regard to encouraging people, for the sake of their health, to stop smoking. This is generally perceived to be in the public interest. Ireland has been extremely successful in leading the way in banning tobacco smoking in public spaces. In effect, this has ensured that the health of those who do not smoke or who choose not to do so has been protected. It has also had an impact on social attitudes to smoking. Even though the smoking ban was not universally well received, it has proven to be of great benefit. Ireland is a leader in this area.

In the context of further progress, we must engage in a reality check and consider the contradictions that exist. It is possible to describe, in gruesome detail, the effects tobacco smoking can have on people. However, the reality is that it is legal to smoke in this country. As a result, a tension and a contradiction arise because something which we state is so dangerous is deemed to be legal. The Government collects large tax revenues in respect of tobacco products and many people are employed in the tobacco industry. When it was possible to advertise tobacco products, there was a great deal of money to be made. As a result, tobacco companies were prepared to spend millions on advertising. If such advertising was still allowed, the position would be the same.

A question arises in the context of personal responsibility. We are targeting two sectors. The first of these is adults and there is not an adult in the country who does not know that smoking is bad for them. I accept the results of the studies and research that have been carried out but I am not sure about the inclusion of photographs on cigarette packets. I do not smoke so I would not see such photographs. When I see television advertisements relating to road traffic accidents, however, I tend to change the channel. The young people who are most likely to benefit from seeing such advertisements tend not to watch them. On a personal level, I find the advertisements to which I refer somewhat offensive and not nice to watch and I always change channel when they come on. I am of the view that something similar may happen in respect of smokers.

We are demonising those who smoke rather than making clear to them that there comes a point where they must realise that smoking is a personal choice. We must enable people to seek help. It is clear from their contributions that some Members are not at all interested in smoking and I am sure that will continue to be the case.

I am most concerned with regard to young people. We must consider this matter from a psychoanalytical point of view. It is the nature of youth to rebel. Regardless of what type of laws we introduced, young people will want to go against them. They will also seek to experiment and do things which may not necessarily be good for them. Members of the current generation of young people do not like being told what to do. Instead, one must persuade them through a process of dialogue. Deputy Stanton referred to this matter. Young people can be engaged, appealed to and reasoned with in schools, in youth groups and by Foróige. That is the approach which must be taken. Young people sometimes perceive certain things as being cool and on other occasions such things will not be deemed cool. How does one legislate in respect of what is cool? The answer is that one cannot do so.

There is only so much action that can be taken in respect of this matter. As already stated, it is legal to sell tobacco in this country. However, our policy leans to the other extreme and encourages people not to smoke. There are contradictions in this regard which we must accept. Until we shut down the tobacco factories or inform people that they cannot buy cigarettes, those contradictions will remain in place and people will still have a certain freedom of choice. Notwithstanding all their good intentions, those in Government will tear their hair out if they try to intervene in this matter beyond a certain point.

My main point is that we must consider what represents real progress and examine what should be our response to suggestions that action must be taken in respect of this complex matter. I understand what is intended by including photographs on cigarette packets. However, I hope that other initiatives involving dialogue and aimed at young people in particular will be pursued. I also hope that the money the Government takes in through taxes and duties on tobacco products will be spent on such initiatives. Ultimately, this matter relates to personal choice. A person will not give up his or her addiction without reaching a decision to change his or her lifestyle. I do not know whether tormenting people with photographs on packets is the way to proceed in this regard.

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