Sir, - The announcement that the Government is to fund a new heart disease programme, by imposing a tax on cigarettes in the forthcoming Budget, is just another example of the disingenuous, hypocritical nature of politics in this country. Firstly, the Department of Finance will love this tax, because it will be seen as politically incorrect to rail against it and, secondly, it attacks once again those for whom few speak up - the smoker.
If the Minister for Health was truly concerned about the health of smokers, the least he could do is to make it financially viable for smokers to try to kick this vile addiction. He should arrange for the Minister for Finance to make nicotine patches and other combative methods tax-deductible, thereby giving those who wish to give up smoking the encouragement they need and deserve.
Thankfully I am not in the grip of this terrible vice but, in the interest of fairness, I look forward to the announcement that the Government is to fund a new liver transplant programme by a hefty tax increase on alcohol. - Yours, etc.,
Ray Cullen, Dublin 7.