Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. The Government banned ten packs of cigarettes because they were attractive to young people. Let us now ban 20 and 23 packs; let them have their 25 packs. While I take on board the reply, we need to be up-front and forward thinking and move quickly on this issue. They are sneaky and cheeky in the way they do business. We need to be as sneaky and cheeky as they are in dealing with them. I would prefer to see a packet of cigarettes priced at €20, which would definitely put it beyond the reach of many young people. We need to send a clear message to the cigarette companies that when they introduce a new sneaky product, we will deal with the issue head-on and, if necessary, use a sledgehammer in dealing with it. I was appalled when I saw the literature the other day. If there was any way to deal with this more urgently than having a review, I would urge the Minister to do it.