James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the Deputies who have taken the time to contribute to the debate. I particularly welcome the cross-party and across-the-board nature of the support that has been apparent for the important work of reducing the number of people who smoke in Ireland. I acknowledge some Deputies' dissatisfaction with the ceasing of minimum pricing for cigarettes. However, under EU legislation, we are forced to do what we must do. I know these Deputies understand this is something that Ireland has an obligation to comply with and I assure those Deputies that I am committed to ensuring that this Government continues in its practice of increasing excise duty on tobacco. Many Deputies today reiterated the well-established link between price and cigarette consumption. To those who would say that increasing the price increases smuggling, invoking the law of diminishing returns, I say that smuggling is an enforcement issue and is no reason to cease the practice of increasing the price of cigarettes. Indeed, I believe that a sudden shock to the system of cigarette pricing in this country, leading to each cigarette costing €1, would cause many smokers to pause and think long and deeply before inhaling deeply as to why they are smoking this carcinogen.

There was, of course, one dissenting voice in respect of these developments around tobacco. I echo the sentiments expressed by Deputy Mitchell O'Connor earlier when she said that it is totally irresponsible for any Deputy to send out a message to our children and young people that smoking is OK. I would also like to say there is no doubting the statistics in respect of the deaths attributable to smoking. It is outrageous and ludicrous that Deputy McGrath can just dismiss as lies the statistics and methodologies from such a reputable establishment as the World Health Organization, WHO. I would go further and say it is irrational, because it refuses to acknowledge the facts, and irresponsible for the reasons I have already outlined. It is important to identify the Deputy concerned as Deputy Finian McGrath and not Deputy Mattie McGrath. The figures quoted earlier on deaths attributed to smoking are based on statistics on the number of deaths from the CSO, using a WHO-recognised methodology. With this in mind, I reiterate that there are approximately 5,200 deaths every year attributed to smoking in the Republic of Ireland. This represents 19% of all deaths. These are the facts and no amount of pub talk can change that. One half, or one in two, of all long-term smokers will die from smoking-related diseases. Contrary to what Deputy Finian McGrath stated earlier, this figure of 5,200 does not represent all cancer deaths. In fact, the CSO figures for deaths from cancer in 2011 indicated a total of 8,684. However, as we have already pointed out, a significant number of people with circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, strokes, heart attacks and other illnesses die from smoking-related diseases.

Nearly every speaker raised concerns about children and smoking. I share these concerns. It is heartening that research shows a decrease in the numbers of young people smoking but we need to do more. Nicotine is an immensely addictive substance. The younger a person is when he or she starts smoking, the longer and more heavily he or she is likely to smoke. The majority of smokers become addicted in their childhood and teenage years. We need to break this cycle.

The tobacco industry knows this is the case. That is why it tries to catch smokers when they are young. Once they are addicted it is no longer interested in them and will move on to the next cohort of victims because it knows a smoker will remain addicted for the next ten to 20 years. There is considerable evidence to support the suspicion that the industry aims at creating the golden pack of 20, that is, the 20 cigarettes that will create an addiction.

I hope this Chamber sends the message loud and clear that the best way to avoid addiction to cigarettes is by avoiding smoking in the first place. All cigarettes offer is a one in two chance of dying, a shorter lifespan and a poorer quality of life. In the days before smoking was banned inside hospitals I saw people in chest units who were so addicted that they took the oxygen tank with them to smoke in the toilet. They were prepared to risk an explosion because they could not do without a cigarette. Nobody willingly becomes engaged in that level of addiction.

I suspect the statistics would reveal a much lower uptake of smoking among those aged above 18 years compared to those aged 18 or younger. I recently discussed the question of why young people are still starting to smoke with my Northern Ireland counterpart and research is being commissioned on this area in conjunction with the North-South Ministerial Council.

On a positive note, I believe the introduction of graphic warnings on cigarette packs next month and the removal of point of sale tobacco promotion in 2009 will have a significant impact on our young people in the longer term. I am also working with Senators Crown, Daly and van Turnhout on the drafting of legislation which will ban smoking in cars where children are present. This legislation is not aimed at restricting the rights of adults but at protecting the rights of children. Children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in cars is involuntary and highly dangerous. Notwithstanding much talk about the nanny state, most right minded people in this country accept that we must protect our children from second hand tobacco smoke. I believe the legislation will be self-enforcing because any right minded adult who pulls up and sees somebody in the adjacent car smoking while a child is in the back seat will not be hesitant in recording the registration number, blowing the horn or expressing dissatisfaction and concern. Some parents may not be aware of the dangers of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke but children are not able to remove themselves from risk if people smoke around them. I look forward to working with the Senators in progressing this Bill.

It is recognised that in an environment of increasing prohibition of tobacco advertising, the cigarette pack has become a key marketing tool for the tobacco industry. I have seen the attractive packaging of two cigarettes in a box that resembles lipstick or perfume. These products are heavily marketed at young girls at concerts and other events. We are providing funding to investigate further the activities in which the industry engages to ensnare the next generation. I welcome the Australian Government's victory in defending its plain packaging legislation last year and support international developments on plain or standardised packaging. I will be giving the matter of plain or generic packaging careful consideration in coming months.

Just as the barriers to quitting smoking are multifaceted, no one measure alone can reduce the number of smokers or the number of our children who start to smoke. We need a combination of measures which include effective legislation, comprehensive supports for smokers who are trying to quit and effective media and education campaigns on the harmful effects of smoking. All these measures have the effect of denormalising tobacco, which is the most successful way to prevent future generations from continuing the habit. The industry would not spend hundreds of millions of euro on advertising if it did not work.

The tobacco policy review is nearing completion in my Department. It will make recommendations on a range of measures aimed at further reducing smoking. I am pleased to announce that our goal for that report is to be a tobacco free country by 2025. This tobacco policy should be considered within the new health and well being framework, which acknowledges that health is the responsibility of all sectors in society. Health promotion and prevention are central to healthier lifestyles which reduce chronic diseases, reduce health care costs and contribute to a healthier workforce, healthier children, positive aging and greater participation in society by those with disabilities and mental health issues. If we can address the issue of health and well being by tackling obesity and tobacco smoking we will not need to worry as much about the number of beds in our hospitals.

In my opening contribution I mentioned the legislative measures we have undertaken that have put us to the fore internationally. Many of these measures were facilitated by developments at European Union level. It is important that our tobacco policy and legislative framework continues to develop within the context of the European Commission. To this end, we hope to be in a position to progress the revised EU tobacco products directive during the course of the Irish Presidency. I am confident that the outcome of the revision of the directive, together with the implementation of the future recommendations of the report of the tobacco policy review group, will bring us a significant way towards a tobacco free society.

I confirm this Government's commitment to health promotion and tobacco control measures and acknowledge the commitment of previous Governments in this regard. We will continue to support the aim of denormalising tobacco and will work constructively with all stakeholders to achieve this goal. We will do all in our power to protect our children and future generations from a habit that would rob them of years of life and health. I commend the Bill to the House.

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