ASH Ireland very disappointed with the 25cents tobacco price increase in today's budget

Date: 07 April 2009

Statement from ASH Ireland – Budget 2009

ASH Ireland Very Disappointed with 25cents Tobacco Price Increase

ASH Ireland is very disappointed with the 25cents increase in the price of tobacco announced in today’s budget statement. This approach to tobacco price runs totally contrary to the Government’s stated policy of creating a tobacco free society. The fact that cigarettes are in reality cheaper now than they were five years ago is an encouragement for people to commence and to continue smoking. ASH sought a €2 increase on a pack of twenty cigarettes and related products.

Dr Angie Brown, Chairperson of ASH Ireland said this evening, “ It is of concern that the threat of smuggling seems to have impacted on the Government’s decision not to raise tobacco prices. Smuggling is a separate criminal issue – and it should not be allowed to impact on health policy decisions. In the past the Government has used inflation fears as the reason for not increasing tobacco prices. This was not a factor in the current economic climate – so it appears that vested interests have had a major influence on government thinking in this regard. Between one and two billion euro is spent annually on tobacco related health costs – and this will be significantly reduced if we can reduce smoking prevalence”.

Dr Brown went on to say, "Price increase is established internationally as the single most important factor in encouraging smokers to quit and discouraging young people from experimenting with tobacco. Nicotine addiction is a scourge on society and people in all sectors require every assistance possible in confronting this addiction. There are indications from recent surveys that smoking prevalence is on the increase and this must be tackled - or much of the health achievements in this area will unravel”

Immense strides have been made by the Government to reduce the impact of tobacco on Irish society. It is imperative that price, a major contributor to the reduction of smoking levels across all sectors of society, will continue to be used. Reduced smoking levels will have an immediate and long-term impact on our health budget – as regrettably thousands of people are suffering from severe and debilitating diseases as a consequence of cigarette smoking.

ENDS

Further information contact:
Valerie Coghlan, ASH Ireland, 087 640 0542
Wally Young, Young Communications 01-6680530 or 087-2471520

The Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation fund ASH Ireland