ASH Ireland Response to Budget

Date: 15 December 2003

ASH Ireland is disappointed with the increase of 50 cent on the price of a packet of 20 cigarettes and related products in the budget statement issued by Minister McCreevy toady. This is a missed opportunity.

Prof. Luke Clancy, Chairman of ASH Ireland said, “The increase of 50 cent is most disappointing and represents a missed opportunity. Most smokers want to quit smoking and price is now established as the most effective means of encouraging smokers to quit, and discouraging young people from experimenting with tobacco. Recent surveys show a small drop in the number of young people using tobacco and ongoing price increase will ensure this trend continues. If we can consistently reduce the number of young people who use tobacco we automatically reduce the adult smoking population into the future.”

With the forthcoming ban on workplace smoking, the increased awareness of risks associated with smoking and passive smoking, we should expect a decrease in smoking levels. A substantial price increase would have underpinned this hugely impressive initiative and added to the pressure to stop smoking. It is imperative that Government do what is necessary in this area and finds other ways of dealing with associated inflation fears.