Cigarette firms warned that ad ban could pose Marxist/IRA threat

Ireland’s main cigarette brands privately warned the Taoiseach three decades ago that a tobacco advertising ban could plunge the country into disaster by sparking a deadly fusion of Marxists and the IRA.

State files also reveal fears in Jack Lynch’s department at the time that moves to curb smoking could become another contraception-type row that would embarrass the Republic and isolate Protestants in the North.

The chairmen of Carrolls, Gallahers and Player Wills tobacco companies demanded a meeting with Mr Lynch in 1978 as then Health Minister Charlie Haughey prepared new laws to stamp out cigarette promotion.

In minutes of the meeting, newly-released into the National Archives, an aide of the Taoiseach records how the three men warned of potentially dire consequences from any restrictions.

They argued it would cut back on their sales, leaving them less money to create new employment in other non-tobacco industries.

“They saw the dangers that if employment was not provided for our growing young population, there could be a fusion between Marxism and the IRA, with disastrous effects for the country,” the minutes state.

The tobacco bosses claimed that “a vicious circle” could erupt in which the State would have to create more public jobs and increase taxes to finance this, which would in turn lead to less private money for investment.

“They were anxious to press forward with further investment but they were frustrated by the difficulties being put in their way by the proposed further restrictions on tobacco advertising and sponsorship,” the minutes state.

“They did not see the tobacco business as being very important in 25 years time and were endeavouring to diversify.” In a briefing to the Taoiseach ahead of the talks in April 1978, a senior adviser warned him of the wider implications of restrictions.

This could include a potential ban in Ireland of the sale of international magazines like Time and Newsweek, which carried extensive cigarette advertising at the time, it was claimed.

“I can visualise a considerable amount of unfavourable press publicity, internationally, if this happens,” the Taoiseach’s aide states.

“What may be a more outlandish interpretation is a view of the impact of the proposed move on questions of individual liberty.

“To what extent has the State the right to go beyond certain simple measures, so as to protect the individual, from himself?

“The issue is one of burning importance to Protestant representatives in Northern Ireland. We should, on no account, get ourselves into another contraceptive-type row, on this particular issue.

“This could, however, well happen if the proposals go ahead in this country alone, in isolation. It would seem to me to be far better to move within the European Community on an international basis.”

The senior adviser goes on to say that the arguments are complex and need to be weighed up on both sides. “The health hazards to which tobacco gives rise cause increases in health expenditure. They cause decreases in pensions expenditure,” he states.

Later that year, the Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion) Act was passed into law which allowed for restrictions to be introduced.