Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

It is 18 years since I first stood up in this Chamber on budget day to oppose this bit of annual hypocrisy by the parties in power, bringing in a punitive tax which particularly impacts on poor people under the guise of health. I am obliged to Dan Macguill at the TheJournal.iefor some research on this, especially as I was taken up with the terrible issues of homelessness and other baneful effects of austerity in the immediate past.

Of course nicotine is a dangerous and destructive drug, not to mention the dozens of other chemicals included in cigarettes, and the cancer and heart disease to which they hugely contribute are horrific ills in society. I absolutely oppose the ruthless cigarette manufacturers.

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