ICTU must kick a bad habit over price hikes
In the Dáil debate following the budget, the Tánaiste stated that there was significant support within the Government to add to the 50 cent increase on tobacco products, but that Consumer Price Index (CPI) and inflation concerns created difficulties. She also stated that the programme for government included an intention to discuss the CPI issue with the social partners.
It is disturbing now to learn that ICTU disagreed with the idea of removing cigarettes from the CPI as a basis for pay negotiations thereby removing the inflation difficulty.
ICTU constantly reminds us of their wish to see an improvement in the health status of our population. Yet, when an attempt is made to deal with one of the biggest public health scourges we face, they obstruct it.
This is in marked contrast to their colleagues in France and Belgium where tobacco products are not included in the CPI used for wage negotiations. All of us need to hear from ICTU on their justification for resistance to this vitally important health measure.
Fenton Howell,
Chairman,
ASH Ireland,
5, Northumberland Road,
Dublin 4.
