James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for their support and for the sentiments expressed. I will first refer to Senator Barrett's proposed amendment relating to the introduction of plain packaging. As the Senator is aware, Government approval was given yesterday to proceed with such legislation, and I am delighted with the Government's support and its decision in this regard. Despite the ban on tobacco advertising, the ban on point of sale display and the introduction of graphic warnings, a gap still exists which I believe can now be eliminated by the introduction of plain packaging. While I have forgotten to bring them with me, I demonstrated on television yesterday the type of new cigarette pack that is available, which looks very much like perfume and is particularly aimed at young girls. We must compare and contrast that with the reality of what smoking does to people, which is why we want to see a plain pack. It is said that the pack is the silent salesman or the mobile billboard for the industry. The reason they are fighting us so hard on this and in Australia is that they know it works, and it is their last area of advertising.

The Senator referred to the 5,200 people who die in this country every year from tobacco smoking. He is absolutely right, and in fact some 700,000 Europeans die each year from smoking. The tobacco companies have to replace the people who give up and those who sadly die with new recruits, and it is very clear from the surveys we have done that they are going after our kids. Some 78% of smokers in the survey said they started smoking in this country under the age of 18. This begs the question of what choice a person has when he or she is already addicted at the age of 18.

However, a considerable amount of work must now take place on the details of the heads of the Bill. This will not be a cakewalk by any means. Property rights, intellectual rights and every device known to man will be brought to bear by the tobacco companies in order to block this, so we have to make sure we prepare the Bill carefully and that it will stand up to legal scrutiny. I obviously support the principle of the proposed amendment, but this amendment, as drafted, would not successfully meet the needs of the introduction of such an initiative. With this in mind, I reiterate my strong commitment and that of the Government to the development of the legislation. I regret that I am unable to accept the amendment but I accept wholeheartedly the principle and the sentiment behind it.

I will now refer to Senator Barrett's proposed amendment in regard to the sale of tobacco in licensed premises and filling stations. My Department is in the process of finalising a new tobacco policy which will set out plans for reducing the numbers who smoke in Ireland. I intend to bring this policy to Government very soon. The new policy will contain two themes, namely, protecting children and the denormalisation of smoking in our society. The Senators will be aware of the strong stance I have taken regarding our children and young people smoking. While the number of young people smoking has been steadily declining, thankfully, the number is still far too high, in my view. No one measure will effectively reduce the numbers smoking. A suite of measures must be put in place and these measures will be outlined in the tobacco policy. Part of that policy includes looking at the current situation regarding the sale of tobacco products with a view to examining any changes that may be required into the future.

While I understand and support the principle set out in the amendment, I regret that I am unable to accept it. Consideration is currently being given to any legislative changes that may be required following the publication of the Tobacco Free Policy Review Group report next month. I can assure the Senator I am committed to implementing the recommendations contained in that report and I am 100% committed to ridding this country of the scourge of tobacco use given the premature deaths it causes, the lives it ruins and the families it devastates. We have to tackle this head on. I said publicly yesterday and I will say it again that I believe tobacco companies are the purveyors of death. One in two who use their products will die. It is inescapable. If we had a drug that could save 5,200 Irish lives a year or 700,000 European lives a year, there would not be a single voice in this country not calling for it.