David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I hope the Leas-Chathaoirleach will indulge me. I will try to speak to the section but I wish to make a number of broad points because I missed the debate on Second Stage. The points are broadly in line with the section.

I have never smoked and have always found smoking offensive and anti-social. However, I know many young people who smoke. The figures show, unfortunately, that more young people are smoking. It is a tragedy. We have also seen the impact of smoking on older people. Some of my relatives have acquired illnesses as a result of smoking for many years. It is awful to see something self-inflicted cause so much misery for those individuals. It also puts enormous strain on our health services. I do not believe we can put a price on how much goes into ensuring that people get proper treatment after the effects of smoking. It is a huge issue that must be tackled.

It says a great deal that amendments have not been tabled on this legislation. There is cross-party support in this Chamber and, I hope, in the Dáil for what the Minister is trying to do. The Bill gives us an opportunity to address some of the issues surrounding smoking. Earlier, a Member raised the issue of revenue and whether there is scope for further increases in the price of tobacco and cigarettes here. Both Action on Smoking and Health, ASH, and the World Health Organization have recommended fiscal measures relating to the price as one of the most effective ways to combat smoking. Some raise the red herring of illegal tobacco smuggling. That is a major issue that must be tackled. Criminal bosses here are making huge amounts of money from smuggling cigarettes that are more harmful than the cigarettes one buys over the counter. However, it is not a reason for not doing the right thing in terms of considering the most appropriate response to steer somebody away from cigarettes.

I have worked for many years on the problem of drugs and am an active member of a community based drugs initiative in Waterford. One of the things I quickly learned about other drugs, be it alcohol, cocaine or anything else, is that if one tells somebody that the drug is bad for them, whether it is through graphics or advertisements, it will not, in itself, steer the person away from cigarettes or drugs. Anybody who works in this area will agree with that. If the message or strategy is to try through shock tactics to get somebody to stop doing something that is harmful to them, it will not work. The World Health Organization has repeatedly pointed out that increasing the price of cigarettes is one of the most effective ways to deal with this issue.

I commend the Minister for bringing her proposals forward. Whatever steps are taken to reduce tobacco consumption here are welcome. I hope the proposals will have an impact. Education is hugely important but in the forthcoming budget there will be an opportunity for the Minister for Finance to reflect on what potential might exist to increase prices. Senator Walsh said we might have exhausted that opportunity but I am not sure that we have. We should listen to the experts in this area and I ask the Minister to convey that to the Minister for Finance. If that measure is one of the most effective ways of dealing with this issue, we should take that corrective action and play our part in making sure that fewer people here smoke and fewer people are damaged and suffer ill-health as a consequence of smoking.