Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I take on board the comments of the Minister of State on the constraints under which he is operating. However, I maintain that we should pursue the option, even under a pilot scheme. If the rate was reduced to 9% or if the products were more freely available and not limited to purchase in pharmacies, it would go a long way. If someone wants to make a change, we should ensure the pain of changing is mitigated. We need to make it easier, particularly for anyone in receipt of benefits, as many are. Cigarette smoking represents a substantial loss of income for such persons.

It also keeps them in a poverty trap. We need to keep our eye on the issue. I do not want to preach because, as an ex-smoker, I may sound like the reformed person. At the risk of sounding funny, perhaps we could put the patches on their mouths so they could be covered by the zero rate of VAT on oral medicines.

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