Ash Ireland welcomes the announcement by the Minister for Finance to increase the price of cigarettes by 40c in the 2015 budget published today. Price is recognised by the World Health Organisation and others as the most important way of encouraging smokers to quit and discouraging young people from experimenting with tobacco. The concerns being raised about ‘smuggling and price increase’ are misguided and mainly fuelled by the Tobacco Industry. Smuggling must be tackled as a separate and very serious criminal issue but it should not impinge on health policy and related decisions.
Dr Ross Morgan, Chairman of ASH Ireland said today, “If the Government is to achieve its objective of establishing a smokefree Ireland by 2025 then it must consistently increase the price of tobacco. Significant inroads have been made in regard to smoking prevalence over the past 10 years with current levels at approximately 21.7%, down from 29% in 2004. It would be possible to reduce smoking levels by a further 10% at least in the next 10 years if there are consistent and significant increases in tobacco price, combined with other measures such as the introduction of standardised packaging”.
Dr Morgan went on to say, “Smuggling of tobacco into this country continues to be a significant issue for Government, however, we must also be wary of Tobacco Industry efforts to use smuggling as a reason for not introducing effective measures, which can improve the nation’s health. Smuggling increases consumption and addiction and therefore is of long-term benefit to the Tobacco Industry. There are many examples of jurisdictions where tobacco price has been increased for health reasons and smuggling simultaneously tackled and reduced – such as Australia, New Zealand and Spain”.
ASH Ireland is disappointed that VAT has not been reduced on Nicotine Replacement Patches and that a 50c environmental levy was not introduced on the Tobacco Industry for each pack of cigarettes sold in this jurisdiction, both of which could have been incorporated in the Budget Statement.
“I ask the Government to continue the fight against smoking, especially with such initiatives as the introduction of plain packaging and the banning of smoking in cars transporting children. Over 5,200 of our citizens die each from smoking, and we must reduce this dreadful statistic by de-normalising smoking, educating young people and adults on the risks and above all introducing pro-health legislation”, Dr Morgan said.
ENDS
Further information contact :
ASH Ireland, 0818 305055
Wally Young, Young Communications, 087 2471520
ASH Ireland 