Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am a reformed smoker. I gave up cigarettes in 1996 and I am glad I did it but, at the same time, I cannot support an increase in the price of cigarettes because it is a personal choice for people themselves to give up. The Minister quoted statistics suggesting the incidence of smoking had dropped in recent years from 29% to 14% and that is probably correct, but I do not think that takes into account the consumption of illegal cigarettes coming into this country or the number of people who have switched to alternatives such as vaping. If we take account those who are now vaping, including younger people, because cigarettes have gone too dear, the percentages would be staggering. On the one hand, the Minister is saying the taxation on cigarettes is stopping people smoking, although I do not agree because if somebody wants to smoke, they will smoke. On the other hand, however, the Government is driving the younger generations to vaping. To get the statistics right, therefore, we need to look at both aspects and see what the Government is doing.

As I said, I am a reformed smoker. I am delighted the percentage of smokers is going down but, again, I believe people themselves will decide to give them up or not, whether their health tells them to give them up, whether they were using them just for their nerves or whatever circumstances they are in. I do not believe raising the price of cigarettes further is beneficial. As I said, I would love for people not to smoke but I would also like to give people the choice not to smoke. Moreover, I would not like others within the circle of someone who is addicted to cigarettes to have to do without something else because of it.

As the Minister noted, smoking is dying out. Increasing the tax on cigarettes is not going to help; all it will do is drive people to the black market, and that will cause its own problems.

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