While I have just preached in favour of lower excise duties and indirect taxation, I feel we must tackle tobacco consumption once and for all. The only way to do this effectively is to raise the price of the product until it is outside the reasonable reach of the consumer. As this would have an adverse effect on the consumer price index, cigarettes should be excluded or two CPI figures should be published. The CPI figure which does not account for cigarette consumption should be agreed by the social partners as the basis for wage demands and negotiations. The special nature of the problem and the health, social and financial costs of smoking to society are reasons the principle would gain universal approval. I realise there might be difficulties at EU level, but we should pursue such a policy nonetheless.