Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 1

Written Answers. - Tobacco Control.

John Dennehy

Question:

157 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the desirability of increasing the minimum legal age for the purchase of cigarettes and tobacco to 18 years; if he will recommend or incorporate this move in forthcoming legislation; the information, if any, he has from the Department of Finance of the recent increases in tobacco duty on revenue from sales of tobacco products; his views on the effectiveness of these duty increases on the consumption of tobacco products, particularly among teenagers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5375/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

This is one of a number of issues in the area of tobacco control that I will be looking at over the coming months. I am aware that the report of the Joint Committee on Health and Children on health and smoking recommended that the age limit be increased to 18 years from the current 16 years. Furthermore, the tobacco free policy group which has carried out a fundamental review of health and tobacco will be reporting to me within a matter of days with recommendations on a number of areas, including underage smoking. I will await their report before making any decisions in this area.

I have no information to date from the Department of Finance on the revenue situation. In the budget in December last year, an increase of 50p was put on a 20 pack of cigarettes. Price is a factor in young people deciding to take up smoking. This substantial increase should act to deter young people who are not already committed smokers and smokers alike.