Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of every adult person in Ireland who smokes I absolutely object to this massive increase. Of course we want to see a society where people do not smoke but there are people who are dependent on cigarettes. It is not so much that they enjoy it but it is part of what they do. I totally disagree with what the Minister said earlier, whereby he said it was the continuous increase in the cost of tobacco that has curbed smoking. I do not agree with this. Of course people are opting for a better and healthier lifestyle, and rightly so. I would be a lot happier if every young person never put cigarette into their mouth but among the people who are taxpayers and who are working perhaps there are people who have a nervous disposition and smoking cigarettes is something that they do.

We are not a nanny state. We can encourage people not to smoke, but for God's sake-----

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