Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I wish to make four points. I am heartened by some of what the Minister of State has said. We need to fight this as vigorously and intensely as we can. I welcome her intention to consider the possibility of introducing legislation to ban smoking in cars. I have always felt that should be done. Although I do not normally believe in intruding into people's personal lives when they are at home, I think we should consider banning smoking in the home when children are present. Everybody recognises the dangers of secondary smoking. The measure I have suggested would be controversial, but it should be examined. Responsible parents go outside to smoke if there are children in the house.

The second issue I would like to discuss is the price of cigarettes. I do not accept the argument that is made with regard to illicit sales. It is a matter for the Garda to enforce the law. We need to be much more vigorous in that regard. The problem of illicit sales should not deter us from increasing the price of cigarettes.

I am pleased the Minister of State said she intends to analyse the Australian model of removing the name of tobacco companies from cigarette packets. She mentioned that the size of the packets might make it difficult to accommodate pictorial images. Can she clarify whether the images will be on both sides of cigarette packets? As this is a Seanad Bill, the Minister of State can amend it in the Dáil on the basis of the debate in this House. While we are awaiting the outcome of the case Philip Morris has taken against the Australian Government, perhaps we could provide that the name of the manufacturer should be as tiny as possible on the cigarette packet. That would give us more scope. At least we would be starting to introduce the concept of providing for very little recognition of the branding of the packet. That is an important consideration.

I will conclude by suggesting that the Minister of State should consider tabling an amendment to the Bill in the Dáil. I suggest that large posters, replicating the graphic images that will have to be included on cigarette packets, should have to be displayed on the outside of premises where cigarettes are sold. In other words, retailers who sell cigarettes should be required by law to display graphic images, which convey the message of the consequences of smoking, on the exterior of their premises. It might be a deterrent. I ask the Minister of State to consider that proposal. We need to do everything we can to reduce, if not eradicate, the habit of smoking.