Take action on smoking

Every year, at least 5,800 people die of smoking-related diseases and illness. I am a student, 17, and I smoke, but if it was banned I would have to give up.

In America, smoking is banned in all public places, both indoors and outdoors, even in public parks. We should do that too. Our Government is always talking about banning smoking in all public places, but nothing happens.

Why not? Our Government continues to allow cigarette sales because it is still pocketing over €2bn a year from those sales. So money is more important than peoples’ health to our Government. But they are spending as much on treating people in hospitals with smoking-related illness and diseases, and people are dying.

Daniel Field

Knocknaheeny

Cork