Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important legislation. Listening to Deputy Finian McGrath's contribution, I was reminded of a "Yes Minister" episode in which Sir. Humphrey Appleby was trying to impress upon the Minister that the effect of smoking on people's health was greatly outweighed by the benefits that accrued to the Exchequer from duty and VAT receipts. Deputy Finian McGrath's contribution would be more appropriate to a sitcom of that nature. It is clear his motivation was to give a soundbite that would allow him occupy some column inches in the newspapers. In his tirade of misinformation, he attempted to set this debate back 40 years. He added weight to his claims by arguing that this is what is being said in the public houses around the country. What next can we expect from Deputy Finian McGrath? Will he start quoting some of the graffiti from the cubicles in these public houses?

At a time when our overarching economic challenges dominate the public agenda, predominantly technical legislation such as the Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill tends not to come into sharp focus. However, the importance of the underlying issues and any changes to the law in this area should not be diminished or underestimated. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths and is responsible for over 5,000 deaths per annum. In addition, 35,000 people are admitted to hospital each year with smoking-related illnesses at a cost of €280 million to the Exchequer. Such statistics make for stark reading. These are fatalities which one would associate with conflict, epidemic or natural disaster but they are entirely avoidable. I believe the continuing effort to reduce tobacco use will be seen in the fullness of time as one of the most important social issues of our generation. Already we have come a long way in this regard. We have seen cultural and legislative changes that have succeeded in encouraging people to kick a most destructive habit.

Praise rarely traverses the floor of the House. However, as Deputy Coffey said, the ban on smoking in the workplace introduced in 2004 was a significant milestone in the campaign to protect our people from the harmful effects of tobacco. Regulating in this regard for restaurants and bars proved to be a difficult area in the European experience. The ease with which the Irish hospitality industry adapted to the challenges of the ban is to its enduring credit.

Maintaining high tobacco prices has long been a central tenet of our health policy towards tobacco. The necessity of this legislation arises from a ruling of the European Court of Justice in which it held that minimum retail pricing for cigarettes infringes on European competition law. There was some concern that the ruling would lead to a reduction in the price of tobacco and its availability at lower prices would encourage more people to smoke. Such fears should be allayed for two reasons, however. First, retailers have not reduced the cost of cigarettes since his ruling was made in 2010.

Second, while minimum pricing may be disallowed, the same result can still be achieved through taxation measures. Maintaining high prices should remain a central part of our efforts to reduce smoking. There is considerable evidence that this the single most effective way of doing so. There is some debate over whether there is a correlation between high prices and the proliferation of cigarette smuggling. I am disinclined to accept this argument for lowering the price of tobacco. Instead, we should propose that a strategy of maintaining high prices be pursued in tandem with vigilant policing of the black market. In recent years the Revenue Commissioners have continued to have considerable success in this regard. We have come a long way in reducing the prevalence of tobacco use and in protecting our people against its associated health risks, but it is an enduring challenge and it is incumbent on all Members to continue to augment their efforts in order that more people can enjoy longer, healthier lives.

See this speech in context