Claims by US tobacco giant Philip Morris that smoking can save an economy millions on health care - because smokers die early - has been described as "perverse".
Dr Fentan Howell, spokesperson for Irish anti-smoking lobby ASH, told
ireland.com
the Philip Morris claim was "a very perverse statement which showed contempt for its customers by boasting about a product that kills".
Dr Howell said there was no truth in the Philip Morris claim that smokers who die early could save an economy money.
He said the World Bank no longer gave aid to countries for tobacco-related projects. Economists had found the tobacco industry to be too mechanised and removed the huge profits from the host country back to the manufacturer, Dr Howell said.
In a report to the Czech government, Philip Morris argued savings in health care and pension costs far outweighed the cost of looking after sick smokers.
The report suggested the Czech government was saving about £100 million a year in health care and pension costs because people who smoke die early.
Mr Alan Shatter, Fine Gael spokesperson on justice, law reform and security, criticised the Government, saying they had adopted Philip Morris's policies on smoking.
"An increasing number of young people are becoming addicted to nicotine because of the Government’s total failure to implement the National Anti-Smoking Strategy proposed in 1999," said Mr Shatter.
British Lung Foundation spokeswoman Ms Michelle Di Leo said: "What will Philip Morris argue next; that we should put people down at 50 because it would save us all a lot of money on health care?"
In the US, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Mr Matthew Myers said: "Would a responsible, reformed tobacco company tell foreign governments that dead smokers are a good thing for their budgets? Philip Morris is doing exactly that."
Mr Rimi Calvert, a spokesman for Philip Morris in Switzerland, said: "It is very unfortunate that this is one aspect of the study that is being focused on. We understand it appears quite cold but tobacco is a very controversial product."
He said the purpose of the report was to set out the balance of costs and savings and that it included all sorts of elements, such as revenue analysis and tax savings.
"We had no intention of trying to present a 'positive' side to smoking to society. It is simply part of the balance," he said.
A spokesman from the Irish Tobacco Manufacturer's Association did not wish to make a comment this afternoon. Philip Morris is not a member of the Irish Tobacco Manufacturer's Association
Additional reporting PA