08/10/2008

Add €2 To Cigs Says Cancer Charity

An Irish Cancer charity will ask the Government to increase the price of cigarettes by €2 in the upcoming Budget, according to a statement today.

The Irish Cancer Society will present its pre-budget proposal to TDs and Senators on Wednesday evening, and will recommend the huge price hike to ward off young smokers.

It says the price increase will encourage young people not to start smoking, encourage smokers to quit and generate €320 million in revenue for the State.

The society’s head of communications Kathleen O’Meara said increasing the price of cigarettes "was a powerful weapon in the fight against cancer."

“Without this and other tobacco control initiatives, it is inevitable that the rate of smoking will increase and with it, the rate of illness associated with tobacco. This weapon is in the Government’s hands. We urge them to use it,” she said.

Norma Cronin, Health Promotion Manager at the society said that although the price increase was necessary it should be in addition to support services that need to be in place for the 70% of smokers who want to quit.

(DW)


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