Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will oppose the increased price of cigarettes. I do not smoke myself. I agree with the Minister that they have ill effects. I will not in any way, shape or form deny that, but I have much sympathy for a majority of my constituents who smoke and regularly speak to me about it. They are upset at times when the prices go up. They are not able to come off them. They have tried different ways. I know many people close to me smoked. They tell me how difficult it is to kick the habit. I do not think increasing the price has worked for many of them. One often hears of people who are successful if they use patches or such. I try to advise people to do that and will continue to do so, but this is a bit unfair to those who cannot do that or find that their only bit of comfort is a cigarette. Some people are living on their own and it is a comfort to them.

As Deputy Danny Healy-Rae said, as the price keeps being put up, the illegal trade may be worth looking at, whether it is illegal cigarettes being brought into the country or things that are stronger than cigarettes, which I would not agree with under any circumstances. I know that many other people like a smoke. An old lady was living near me once. She was 88 years old. She told me they were trying to get her to give up cigarettes. I said to her not to bother giving them up because she had lived to 88 years of age and she would survive the few cigarettes she was smoking every day.

I know this is a handy way to bring in tax. I wish to God that people who smoke did not smoke, but they do. I do not want us to be a regime that cannot accept that people have comforts. I will not support the price increase on cigarettes.

See this speech in context