Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I note that section 4(5) states that income generated by the payment of amounts pursuant to fixed-charge notices under this Act will be disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer. I suggest, and I hope the Minister would agree, that any income generated would go to more campaigns to raise awareness and educate people on the dangers of smoking and not put into the Exchequer where it could get lost and not be put to such use.

I listened to other speakers talk about the plain packaging on which I want to make a point also. My colleague, Deputy Finian McGrath, would not be happy but I would be very happy to see a complete ban on smoking, and I support those initiatives that are trying to bring that about. However, retailers with small shops are genuinely concerned that this plain packaging will fuel the illegal trade in cigarettes. We do not know where the illegal cigarettes come from; there is a variety of suggestions in that regard. We have no knowledge of the content, but there has been an increase in illegal cigarettes being sold, and in Dublin Central it is a major concern. We saw the largest ever seizure of illegal tobacco in Ireland. That illegal tobacco trade has to be addressed.

I have a question about e-cigarettes, which are very common these days. I understand, anecdotally, that they appear to be helping people come off cigarettes in terms of the nicotine but we do not know enough about the effects of e-cigarettes and vaping. Is that another issue that has to be addressed in this type of legislation?

On the Garda issue, enforcement is putting further pressure on already over-stretched and under-resourced gardaí. There is now another law they are being told they have to enforce. We are asking the gardaí to police something that should be obvious to parents, and I believe it is obvious. In Dublin Central, we certainly need our gardaí for other work.

The Minister mentioned protecting children from irresponsible adults who would damage their health but we are discussing the wrong Bill when it comes to children under 18. From my involvement in the North Inner City Drugs and Alcohol Task Force, and with the projects working in the city and the city centre, the extent of drug and alcohol use is frightening, and it is beginning at a much younger age. I listen to the frustrations and the concerns of the schools and the youth workers in this regard. Their fear, and it is a reality, is that this problem is not being taken seriously. Those in the youth projects are under strain due to the cumulative effect of cuts they have experienced in recent years. There are far more serious risks to the health of young people than the one we are discussing, namely, them being in a car with their parents who smoke. We have open drug dealing on streets in Dublin. We have open targeting of young people to buy "benzos" and use high-strength cannabis. What is being seen in the city is an increasing number of young people presenting with psychosis.

Another issue of childhood health is the recent report on childhood obesity. One in four are either overweight or obese, and we know that obesity will track them from childhood into adulthood. Also, reports are showing a correlation between childhood obesity and children attending schools in disadvantaged areas.

I attended an event this morning, mindyourmind, at which the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, was present. The mental health of young people is not being addressed in the same way as this Bill is addressing one issue. We listened to stories from young people of self-harm and depression. We heard success stories also because there were young people who had the courage to go to an adult who would listen in an attentive and sympathetic way, and they found help. Those are the issues facing young people.

I do not object to this Bill. I support it and commend those who have brought it to this Stage, with the support of the Minister and the House, but there are far more pressing issues involving the health of young people. I would like to see legislation dealing with such issues being brought before this House.

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