Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her position on the introduction of a price floor for cigarettes and other tobacco related products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40182/08]

Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Since the introduction of the Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship, and Sales Promotion) Act, 1978 Ireland has operated a "floor" price mechanism, and cigarette companies cannot sell below these prices. The primary purpose of this measure is to prevent the use of price as a sales promotional device by setting price levels below which brands may not be sold.

Cigarette pricing controls are part of a long-running and sustained effort to decrease smoking prevalence. Evidence shows that pricing is a key tool in this regard and, in particular, in preventing children and adolescents from taking up the habit. Cigarette prices in Ireland are currently the second highest in Europe and the highest in the EU.