Goraibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Tá áthas orm labhairt ar an díospóireacht seo. Tá an cheist thábhachtach seo faoi dheireadh a chur le caitheamh tobac á phlé againn agus déanaim comhgháirdeas leis an Teachta Shatter agus Fine Gael as an Bille a chur os comhair na Dála.
I compliment Deputy Shatter and the Fine Gael Party on bringing this Bill before the House. It is timely following the publication of the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children. It has no doubt contributed to the announcement by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, that he will publish the Health (Amendment) Bill within the next fortnight. Having had for a time departmental responsibility for the anti-smoking campaign – I recall the Leas-Cheann Comhairle introduced the first anti-smoking legislation – I have a great interest in this area. I was a smoker when I was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Health. Obviously I had to cease smoking and I have not smoked for more than five years. During my period in the Department of Health, like all converts, I became more and more opposed to smoking. The medical evidence and research spoke for itself. There are 6,000 deaths annually from smoking-induced ailments, whether respiratory or cardiovascular. There were also negative effects in relation to illness and reduced quality of life. I look to the day when tobacco smoking will be a thing of the past. However, like all desirable objectives, its achievement is easier said than done.
It is important that environmental regulations and legislation aimed at eliminating smoking are enforceable. If not, there is little point in introducing them in the first instance. I have misgivings about banning the sale of tobacco products to those under the age of 18. The sale of alcohol to those under 18 years of age has long been pro hibited, yet it still happens to a considerable extent. The idea that the State should seek to prohibit alcohol or tobacco is laudable but enforcement requires extensive resources. Is the Government willing to provide these resources? There is a significant school of thought that supports the premise that price is the most effective mechanism in the fight against smoking. There is merit in this argument but, human nature being what it is, the position is not that simple. There is a very real danger that if tobacco becomes too expensive on the legitimate market, the possibility of the purchasing of tobacco going underground becomes all the greater. Prohibition of the sale of alcohol in the US brought about a plethora of anti-social consequences and was eventually abandoned. Balance is the key to success.
It appears the trend among young people in taking up the smoking habit is on the increase. It also seems that life skills programmes seeking to induce young people not to take up the habit have had little or no impact. It is clear that strong action is called for. However, in pursuing that strong action, the State must avoid creating the forbidden fruit syndrome which is always the most sought after. The trend in the increase in young people, particularly girls, taking up the habit in increasing numbers begs the question what is the attraction? I recall one piece of qualitative research into why girls take up the habit which found that peer pressure was the major reason. To be effective in influencing young people not to take up the habit, the ultimate consequences of smoking must be illustrated to them in a stark manner which will impact. Lecturing young people seldom brings worthwhile results. A multifaceted approach is how the best level of success will be attained.
The Minister in his statement yesterday spoke about smoking in public houses. I agree there should be talks with the vintners organisations. During my time in the Department there were efforts to set up a working group between the vintners organisations and the Department to develop this aspect of environmental regulations in relation to smoking. Many people nowadays do not like going to public houses and waking up the next morning with a smell of nicotine off their clothes, hair and so on. Substantial progress can be made in this area and the Minister should, by way of working group with the vintners organisations, explore the possibility of introducing new environmental regulations. Obviously if this proves unsuccessful, the Minister would have to deal with the matter from his own position given the advice from within the Department.
The Minister referred to a ban on sponsorship of Irish sporting events by tobacco companies. I compliment the Minister on taking this progressive position. However, alcohol must be examined in this context. I am concerned that where sporting success is being celebrated, all too often it is accompanied by the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol advertising surrounds many sporting activities in Ireland.
On anti-smoking campaigns, the ultimate objective is the eventual elimination of smoking. We need to focus on the positive aspects which include improvement in the quality of life for many people. We must bear in mind that it not just smokers who are affected but also those in close proximity to smokers. It has been well established that smoking has consequences for those who smoke and for passive smokers. There is the issue of life expectancy. We are all aware that there will never be sufficient resources in terms of the health service. However, if the resources now being used to deal with illnesses which arise as a result of smoking can be significantly reduced, there will be a great saving to hospital care services and those resources can be applied to other areas of health care.