Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State. What I am about to say is not shocking in and of itself, but only inasmuch as it relates to the context. I am referring to the supposedly off-putting pictures on packets of cigarettes. I recall working with Dr. Neasy while I was a student nurse. He was a consultant from Galway who used to come to our hospital once a month to perform surgery on patients with lung cancer. At the time and to my shame, it was routine for us to have a cigarette after assisting at or overseeing those operations. We were not put off at all. It was just something we did, as there was a disconnect between what was on the table or in the bucket in front of us and what we were doing. The main point in terms of cigarettes and tobacco is prevention. They are very addictive. After battling for many years to give cigarettes up, I succeeded 18 years ago. I have never felt the need to take them up again.

I will qualify my point on the number of young smokers. The notion, often proposed by the media, that cigarettes have a slimming effect by curbing the appetite is a serious issue. I undertake a sexual health programme in many of the schools in the south east. While we discuss many issues, many girls are concerned about the contraceptive pill and whether smoking will keep them thin. The information that they get from Bebo and similar websites supports their viewpoint.

Clonmel hospital saw a high incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It was suggested that some of those problems had to do with the geography - being surrounded by hills and beautiful scenery - but there were many chest complications and smoking-related disorders. This fact has been borne out by the submission of the Irish Heart Foundation. I know Mr. Michael O'Shea from my chairing of the Heartsafe programme. The Heartsafe programme promotes activities and training in the use of AEDs and we were the first Heartsafe town in Ireland.

There is a disconnection between the education of young people on sexual and physical health and the activity a person undertakes that is damaging to himself. I can deal with sexual behaviour that is safe but, although I do not want to moralise, I am always upset when I see someone smoking because there is such an addictive element to it. I know because I have been through it myself.

I have also seen people struggle when cigarette prices are increased in the budget, with a 10 cent increase making a real difference to them. They are distraught because they must cut down on cigarettes so any legislation that might help to prevent people starting smoking is of benefit.