Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their contributions on and their support for this measure, which I greatly appreciate. I also endorse and acknowledge the wonderful work done by the Office of Tobacco Control which is located in my constituency in Millennium Park in Naas.

I agree with Senators that we need to reduce the numbers who smoke, particularly among young people. Whenever I visit schools, I use the outreach programme to discuss the issue with students. I encourage young people not to smoke because we all know how difficult it is to stop. All of the legislation introduced to date will reduce the prevalence of smoking among young people. It should be acknowledged that while almost 50% of the adult population smoked in the 1970s, this figure has been considerably reduced to almost 30%.

According to the Revenue Commissioners, it is difficult to determine the level of cigarette consumption in Ireland, as is the case in any other country. We must take account of the fact that no excise duty is paid on many cigarettes owing to the level of consumption of untaxed products, whether legitimately or illegally acquired. Low-cost air travel, an increased number of trips abroad and cross-Border purchases provide people with an opportunity to obtain cheaper cigarettes outside the State.

Many Senators referred to the issue of smuggling, extent of which is illustrated by the growth in the number of seizures made by the Revenue Commissioners. They include the seizure of almost 30 million cigarettes found on one ship in Dublin Port. I have been assured by the Revenue Commissioners that they will continue to implement a wide-ranging programme of measures to combat this threat. The programmes includes continuing seizures of illegal products, prosecuting offenders, monitoring Internet sites, instigating test purchases to identify importation routes, monitoring sales patterns to identify and investigate irregularities and targeting enforcement activity. In addition, we contribute to actions taken at EU level to improve controls on excisable products in the Community, as well as monitoring sea cargoes on the basis of a risk analysis and seizures.

Senator Feeney referred to tobacco product advertising at Manchester airport. Such advertising at Irish airports has been severely curtailed since 1 July 2009. Since that date, only one image of each product sold can be displayed at the point of sale. This has been beneficial to those trying to give up cigarettes. When people are out for a drink, that they cannot see the product is a help. The price of cigarettes in Ireland is the highest in the world.

The recently published HSE tobacco control framework will build on the comprehensive tobacco control legislation now in place. It will ensure the positive work undertaken by the Office of Tobacco Control in implementing the legislation will be combined with the health promotion function and cessation programmes, with the ultimate objective of having a tobacco-free society. That remains my objective and that of the Government and all Members of the Houses.