Up in smoke

AS budget time rolls around again, the usual phobic anti-smokers are calling for an increase in the price of cigarettes.

Due to pressures from these groups in the past, we now have the most expensive cigarettes in Europe. I suggest that because of this, we also have the biggest black market.

The likes of the Office of Tobacco Control and ASH are, in fact, driving this trend.

Perhaps the Taoiseach might look again at the law of diminishing returns and instead of putting up the price of cigarettes, he could save a fortune by winding up the Office of Tobacco Control and rescinding the charitable status of groups like ASH.

John Mallon

Shamrock Lawn

Mayfield

Cork