Sir, - ASH Ireland is concerned that Mr McCreevy decided not to increase the price of tobacco in the Budget.
The World Health Organisation and the European Forum of Medical Associations advocate price increases as the most important means of reducing smoking levels, especially among young people.
We welcome the Minister's declaration of intent to have tobacco removed from the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This is something ASH Ireland has advocated for several years - and it is normal practice in some EU countries. The Minister for Health and Children also supports the removal of tobacco products from the CPI, as does our European Commissioner, Mr David Byrne. We would then expect this and future governments to use price increases to reduce the vast numbers of Irish people dying from tobacco-related diseases.
We welcome the announcement by the Health Minister, Mr Martin, that the Government is to fund nicotine replacement therapy for medical card holders. This is a most positive development. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Fenton Howell, Chairman, ASH Ireland, Dublin 4.