Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak about this new legislation, the Protection of Children’s Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Bill. I will be giving a minority view but it is a view that should be listened to also. When I first heard of this new legislation, I was annoyed at the intellectual arrogance of some of the anti-smoking brigade. The reason for my anger was because most smokers I know would not dream of smoking in a car with children. In fact, they would not dream of smoking in a car with non-smokers or adults. We do it when we are alone in our cars and when we are in our own space. Most smokers respect the rights of non-smokers, and that has been a fact since the introduction of the smoking ban. We should get that straight first, and the nanny state brigade should give us all a break in this debate.

I often wonder why they all get so high and mighty about ganging up on smokers while they often stuff themselves with alcohol, which is much more dangerous. They should get off the stage and give us all a break. The high morale ground brigade will drive smokers further underground, and that will lead to further isolation. I respect their rights and, therefore, I expect them to respect my rights. It is as simple as that. We also pay our taxes; in fact, smokers pay many taxes to the Exchequer. The Minister should ask the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, about that. I believe the take on every packet of 20 cigarettes is in the region of 76%. We should bury that money argument which I have often heard put forward.

Before they all gang up on smokers, let us get tough on alcohol-related crimes. Who is busting up our accident and emergency departments on a Saturday night? It is not the smoker; it is the violent drunk. I have seen that at first hand in our accident and emergency departments I have attended with senior citizens, friends and family members. The people causing the trouble were either high on drugs or very drunk on alcohol. Those are the issues we must raise. The Minister would find smokers out in the car park, and now they are being shoved out onto the street to have a quiet smoke and mind their own business. Once again, it is the soft targets that are being hit. It is important that we be honest about that, although I accept that is a minority view around this House.

We also have the issue of the illegal sale of illegal cigarettes, which is causing havoc in the State. Not only is it causing violent crime, but it is also results in a major loss to the Exchequer. The Government should wake up, smell the coffee-----

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