Smokers won’t be put off by forceful tactics

I NOTE Prof Luke Clancy of Action on Smoking & Health (ASH) is back trying to persuade Finance Minister Brian Cowen to add €2 to the price of a packet of cigarettes in the forthcoming budget.

The professor always says he is trying to “encourage” smokers to quit, but his actions and those of his organisation demonstrate that he is in fact attempting to force smokers to do his bidding.

A survey of prices in 27 European countries last July showed that in Ireland, tobacco products are 86% more expensive than the European average.