Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Thankfully, I can no longer see stacks of cigarettes.One of the great things the Minister is about to introduce is plain packaging, because when the packaging goes, my desire to have that recognisable box in my hand may cease. It is 15 years since I held such a recognisable box. My desire to have that box in my hand may cease when the colour or whatever else is on the package that attracts me to it is gone. It is important that we send out a message that there is no place in this society for the cigarette industry and all the horrors it brings to us. There is not a family in the country that has not buried somebody as a result of cancer. We do not want the cancer that these companies bring to this island.

I commend the Minister on what he is doing. He is extremely brave and will go down in history like those before him who managed to ban cigarette smoking from our bars and restaurants. I congratulate and support the Minister 100%.