The costs of smoking

A chara, – Anyone reading Paul Delaney’s letter (August 14th) would think that the Exchequer would save €2 billion per annum if smoking were to be completely eradicated. While it is true that smoking-related illness costs the State a huge amount, this expenditure is somewhat compensated for by savings made on the pensions of smokers, who of course die younger. Like the outlay on treating illness, the extent of this offset is difficult to estimate, but it is reasonable to assume that it is significant. Any attempt to discuss how smoking affects public finance without reference to this is disingenuous at best. – Is mise,

DR GARETH P KEELEY,

Gneisenaustrasse,

Düsseldorf,

Germany