asked the Minister for Health whether his anti-smoking campaign will put added pressure on the employment position with cigarette manufacturers like P.J. Carrolls, Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Anti-Smoking Campaign.
23.
The objective of the recently published Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion) (No. 2) Regulations, 1986, and my proposed anti-smoking Bill is obviously to reduce tobacco consumption and that will inevitably in time have some impact on employment in the tobacco industry. However, anti-tobacco health legislation has been in force in this country since 1979 and the industry has ample time to make plans for diversification which in fact they are doing as the Deputy will be aware.
However, it is also a fact, employment in that industry is under great pressure from new technology being introduced by manufacturers. The Deputy will also be aware that the industry is becoming increasingly capital-intensive and will almost inevitably therefore reduce its workforce over the coming years.
Question No. 25 re-entered for oral reply.