State urged to get rid of tobacco shares

THE Government should get rid of its €17 million worth of shares in tobacco firms, the head of the Dáil health watchdog said yesterday.

Despite the cost of tobacco-related diseases and plans to ban smoking in the workplace, the state pension fund continues to invest taxpayers’ money in cigarette manufacturers.

The state agency responsible for investing the €8.7 billion pension fund, the National Pensions Reserve Fund, is ordered by the Government to invest in firms which will deliver the best financial return.