ANALYSIS: Big Tobacco hurt by legal and mindset changes

Big Tobacco is proving notoriously hard to stub out but legal changes, excise hikes and the illicit trade are hurting it, writes John Hearne

SMOKING in cars with children present is about to become illegal. It was announced last month that the legislation, driven by veteran anti- smoking campaigner Senator John Crowne, has been approved and is likely to be written into the statute books by the summer.

This latest legislative swipe against the tobacco industry keeps Ireland at the forefront of the war. Next month is the nine-year anniversary of the ban on smoking in public buildings and workplaces — the first of its kind in the world.