ASH IRELAND CONCERNED THAT SMUGGLERS ARE FORCING DECISIONS ON HEALTH POLICY

Date: 27 March 2009

ASH IRELAND CONCERNED THAT SMUGGLERS ARE FORCING DECISIONS ON HEALTH POLICY

ASH Ireland was extremely concerned to hear the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan imply that there may be no price increase on cigarettes in the April budget. There is a huge amount of data to show that price is the single most important factor in determining whether young people start smoking and in encouraging people to quit.

Cigarettes kill up to half the people that use them, leaving many people that survive, disabled and in poor health. Smoking related diseases have huge cost implications to the already underfunded health service. We are concerned that yet again our government is capitulating to vested interests and in particular the tobacco companies. It is no surprise that these billion dollar companies don’t want a tax increase as a decrease in consumption would affect their profits. Smuggling benefits tobacco
companies as it increases consumption and hence dependence on this addictive product. Furthermore they use the smuggling issue to persuade Governments not to increase tax on tobacco.

We were also appalled at what would appear to be government complacency in regard to dealing with the smuggling issue. This is a world wide problem which occurs regardless of the price of cigarettes. Indeed levels of smuggling are much higher in countries with high levels of corruption and poor law enforcement. We were shocked to see the use of children in this illegal activity on last nights Prime Time programme. The fines and deterrents for smuggling crimes are totally insufficient and this must be addressed by government.

For contact, Wally Young, Young Communications, 087-2471520

ASH Ireland is funded by The Irish Cancer Society and Irish Heart Foundation