I don't smoke and never have. However, I know many smokers (including nurses, doctors, other medical practioners, health care workers etc). Many of them smoke John Player Blue. None of them buys cigarettes in normal shopping outlets in Ireland. All of them smoke cigarettes that have been brought into the country by their friends returning from holidays.
Let's face it, these people probably will never give up smoking. You can put all the cancer warnings on packets, show awful pictures of cancer attacked organs, have tv ads made from the grave and people will still continue to smoke. This is the reality in Ireland today.
We can argue that smoking increases the cost of healthcare in Ireland. Beds in cancer wards are taken up by smokers. We can argue 'til the cows come home and no matter which way we look smokers continue to smoke. Smoking Ireland is in freefall and for the distant future always will be.
Ireland is losing millions in revenue because people can easily purchase cigarettes cheaper from other EU states. The smokers are supporting tax revenue in other countries. Is it time for a backlash where Ireland can cash in on cigarette purchases? Let's have the Spaniards support our economy for a change. If we reduce cigarette prices, I don't believe we will have an increase in smokers. Our cancer wards will not have additional people. People are not stupid just addicted.