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Poll: Should Europe ban menthol and slim cigarettes?

James Reilly is fighting for a ban. Do you agree with him?

IRELAND IS STRONGLY supporting a proposed European-wide ban on menthol and slim cigarettes at a meeting in Luxembourg today.

However, it is expected that James Reilly will come up against some opposition from other Member States and the plan could be watered down. The Minister believes the ban on flavoured cigarettes is vital to denormalise smoking for younger people, particularly girls.

Slim cigarettes, which were marketed to women when they were introduced in the 1960s, are longer and narrower than ordinary cigarettes in an effort to make them seem more elegant.

What do you think? Should Europe ban menthol and slim cigarettes?


Poll Results:

No, ban neither (1200)
Yes, ban menthol and slims (920)
Just ban menthols (876)
Just ban slims (110)

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130 Comments
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    Mute ed w
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    Jun 21st 2013, 9:53 AM

    If he’s that bothered he should ban all cigarettes. This is pretending to do something whilst protecting the tax take from cigarettes. Reilly is a hypocrite of the highest order.

    327
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    Mute Howard Cooley
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:09 AM

    Better to ban Reilly.

    221
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    Mute Clifford Brennan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:09 AM

    Well said. Pure posturing from mr healthy

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    Mute SuperFry
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:42 AM

    Spot on!! Wasting time and tax money.

    55
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    Mute Mal
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:06 AM

    When I was a smoker nothing would turn me off smoking quicker than a menthol cigarette.

    81
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    Mute Barry
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:11 AM

    Ed, it’s a start,
    All restrictions on stuff like this start small.

    You think smoking was banned out right in trains overnight? Nope, instead you had smoking and non smoking areas on trains

    It’s a start, and a good start at that

    39
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    Mute Niall
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:19 AM

    Ban menthol and slim reilly’s, one of those already is in place and seems to be working very effectively albeit with stiff opposition from his wife

    7
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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:30 PM

    ed w, silly point. He can’t ban all cigarettes as there are too many addicts still. What he can, and should do, is keep making it more restrictive as the number of smokers drop and eventually they can be banned. Any other product that killed half of the fools who use it would be banned.

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    Mute Angela Gaffney
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    Jun 21st 2013, 2:11 PM

    Ban Europe ffs let people have some say

    in how they live

    21
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    Mute Samantha Smithes
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    Jun 27th 2013, 3:23 PM

    at least it’s a start

    1
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    Mute Marc McCarthy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:15 AM

    Let’s ban fast food, alcohol, TV, coffee, pornography, comfortable chairs, elevators and whatever else you fancy. Smoking is disgusting, but it’s also a right.

    152
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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:44 AM

    You need to look up the definition of a ‘right’…

    30
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    Mute Joe Kinnane
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:08 AM

    You have a right to do whatever you want with your life. You were granted this right at birth. There are restrictions to your rights. If you do damage to society, then you will be held accountable. An individual’s rights=choices made and action taken. When you make a choice, then follows action. That action is either good or bad, moral or immoral

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    Mute Ciarán
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:15 AM

    If somebody wants to drink themselves into an early grave they have a right to do that, they do not have a right to beat their spouse in a drunken rage or drive intoxicated as that infringes on the rights of others. similarly with intravenous drugs, they’re just destroying themselves and that’s fine.

    As far as I’m concerned a smoker has the right to smoke in 2 cases. 1. They are on their own on private property. 2. They are in the exclusive company of fellow smokers on private property. Anything else is infringing on the rights of others

    45
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    Mute Ann Farrelly Kirrane
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:24 AM

    You have a right to do whatever you want……within the law.

    17
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    Mute Paul Cathy Lynam
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:25 AM

    Smoking isn’t a right it is choice

    16
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    Mute Barry
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:00 PM

    Smoking isn’t a right, its a choice and then an addiction,

    By all means do it all you want, but the second you cost the government and me as a tax payer money then its my problem and I get a say on the matter.

    So smoke and drink all you want, but the second you get lung cancer or liver problems then we all get to have a say on your decision to smoke and if we want to waste tax payer money on people like you who try to kill themselves.

    Lets not forget that smoking kills 1 in 2 of its users, this is a fact.

    16
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    Mute Simon Jester
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:27 PM

    Depends whether the “law” is either “Malo in se ” Bad because it is. Like murder ,rape, fraud,robbery etc.
    Or “Malo Prohibida” Bad because it is prohibited. Like smoking ,drinking after hours,doing drugs etc.

    4
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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:33 PM

    Spot on Barry, amazing you got so many red thumbs.

    What should happen is that the filthy cigarette companies get nationalised with no compensation and the government sets up an arms length entity to manufacture and sell the fags. All profits then go to the same fund the Lotto goes to or the HSE.

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    Mute Shane McGettrick
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:53 PM

    Tax take from smoking generates more revenue than it costs to treat tobacco related illnesses nationally, so your point is null and void Barry. While I’m not a smoker, we are moving progressively towards a nanny state where the right to choice of the individual is constantly being diminished.

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 1:13 PM

    Shane, why did you leave out the following costs, did you not realise they existed?

    …. extra and early payouts on insurance policies, extra state payments to widows and orphans, more sick days off work, etc.

    I’m also opposed to a nanny state BUT smoking is a con that hooks the stupid and then slowly kills them while robbing them. If the state should interfere in anything it should be smoking.

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    Mute Eugene Curran
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    Jun 21st 2013, 2:19 PM

    @barry, is the ’1 in 2′ figure a fact? I don’t know that it isn’t, just seems a little high.

    I would like, out of interest, to see a longitudinal study done on tax take from Smokers compared to care costs of smoking related illness. I have heard both sides of the argument but am yet to see hard evidence regarding which bill is bigger.

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 2:29 PM

    Eugene, a minimum of 1 in 2 is a fact.

    If a married couple both smoke there’s a 75% probability that one of them will be killed by it, 25% chance both of them will be.

    Why are you only taking about the health care costs of smoking? There are lots of other costs, not to mention the cost of the cigarettes themselves, see my other posts.

    1
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    Mute Eugene Curran
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    Jun 21st 2013, 2:46 PM

    The cost of the cigarettes is due to the tax, and it’s not that I even disagree, I haven’t seen the numbers. How do you quantify, for example, all the smoking related sick days? Are we to assume every time a smoker gets a cold it is because he/she smokes?

    Without the numbers we only have assumptions.

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    Mute Eugene Curran
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    Jun 21st 2013, 2:49 PM

    Also, can I have a link to your figures please.

    Not to be a smartarse, just interested.

    4
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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 3:08 PM

    Eugene, you can Google as well as I can. Try this “half of all smokers die”. Afaik the journal doesn’t like links to newspapers for copyright reasons.

    My point is that claiming that smokers’ tax pays for the HSE costs does not take into account all the costs associated with smoking. The HSE costs may very well be the lesser of the costs.

    Someone who gets a heart attack at 48 years of age, like another friend of mine, whom I had nicknamed “have you got a fag” when he was 16! left behind 11 children, costs the state a fortune. He didn’t actually cost the HSE anything. So his death would not have affected those statistics. He was a senior engineer probably in todays money on €150,000 per year. What’s the loss to his wife, the state and himself to his death 20 years before retirement?

    1
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    Mute Eugene Curran
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    Jun 21st 2013, 3:21 PM

    I’m sorry to hear about your friend, but my point remains; when I see the full data, (I don’t expect you to provide it here) I will make an informed decision as to how much say the state should have in someone’s choice to smoke.

    4
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    Mute Samantha Smithes
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    Jun 27th 2013, 3:23 PM

    it’s also my right to breathe clean air. what a ridiculous argument.

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    Mute Anne Cullinane
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:06 AM

    Why doesn’t he do something real like ban mandatory fluoridation of our public drinking water supply. The rest of Europe have done it.

    92
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    Mute cooperguy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:10 AM

    Maybe because it’s proven as both safe and beneficial?

    34
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    Mute Clifford Brennan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:15 AM

    Might be no harm to look up the countries where its been stopped or rejected. Dont agree with you saying its helpful.

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    Mute Ooh Baby
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:18 AM

    cooper,

    you’re not telling the truth.

    Fluoride is a proven poison, it is neither safe nor beneficial.

    @Ann

    Even though it’s not in the water, Europe sneaks fluoride in to food.

    33
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    Mute John Boy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:23 AM

    Ah yeah sure fluoride is great stuff, very good for the human body…….pity researchers in Harvard University have proven that its harmful to humans!

    38
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    Mute Jonathan Delaney
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:31 AM

    as cooperguy said fluoridation is safe and all this paranoia about it stems from ignorance and hysteria

    11
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    Mute cooperguy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:41 AM

    That Harvard study says thy exposure to high levels of fluoride in water as a detrimental effect. Nobody can argue that. Exposure to too much of anything (including water itself) can kill or seriously harm you.

    It has also clearly been shown that it improves the dental health of a population where it is used.

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    Mute Ooh Baby
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:48 AM

    cooper

    “improves dental health” is the old chestnut spat out by poisoners every now and again.

    We have mouth wash with fluoride,
    Toothpaste, floss etc.

    We get too much fluoride, we don’t need any.

    13
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    Mute John Boy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:59 AM

    Since when is genuine medical research ignorance and hysteria Jonathan??? Here’s some reading material for you!!!!

    http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/ Harvard have since confirmed that Fluoride lowers IQ.

    Also worth a read http://naturalsociety.com/harvard-study-published-federal-govt-journal-confirms-fluoride-lowers-iq/

    Note the links with accelerated tumour growth in cancer, there is also links with weakening bones, effects on the kidneys, alzheimer’s and thyroid problems! This is all medical research and freely available on the internet, unless doctors and biologists are stupid that is! Fluoride = BAD!

    15
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    Mute cooperguy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:09 PM

    By “old chestnut” you mean “fact” yes? This is something that has been proven a long time.

    Just ask the American dental association. You would imagine all they are interested in is dental health. Unless you believe in all the conspiracy theories, in which case I can’t help you:
    http://bit.ly/106XUzr

    3
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    Mute John Boy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:27 PM

    Since when is proven medical research a conspiracy theory! What is it about fluoride, cooper, you know that doctors seem to keep missing?

    The point about fluoride being good for your teeth is only relevant when it’s being consumed in small doses, 1.5mg/ltr or less. It’s when fluoride is in water, toothpaste, mouthwash, chewing gum and so on that it gets to a point where the toxicity levels become too much for the human body and it becomes a health risk. Society has gone fluoride made in the past 50 years or so and a lot of people are consumed with ignorance when it comes to proven medical facts. Fluoride should be banned from water end of story.

    11
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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:40 PM

    I think John Boy is right and ALL the dental associations, medical associations, scientists and the vast majority of government expert committees in the world are wrong. PS John Boy what do you think of the news this morning of UK government closing down the DOD UFO office? Scandalous, I think it’s a cover up.

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    Mute cooperguy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:59 PM

    John Boy, I’m repeating myself now. That Harvard study looked at extremely high levels of fluoride intake which is naturally present in some areas of China. Like anything, too high a dose is bad. People have died from drinking too much water aswell.

    If your worried that your mouth wash is giving you too much fluoride because of what is already in the water then stop using it. It says how much is in it on the label add that to the amount in the water supply and compare it to the recommended maximum if you want to be doubley sure and not just guessing.

    5
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    Mute John Boy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:59 PM

    Where’s the evidence from the dental industry then? Oh, here it is and look, it shows that there’s no link between a reduction in cavities and fluoride consumption!!

    http://www.fluoridealert.org/studies/caries01/

    6
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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 1:31 PM

    John Boy, the internet is full of quack web sites and fluoridealert is one of them.

    The retired chemist and fanatic behind it is referred to here http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/connett.html

    Denmark has some of the “best teeth” but it’s also one of the richest and most successful/controlled populations. They brush their teeth, they’re middle class. Water Fluoridation is mainly aimed at the poor. Denmark’s National Health Board actually wants to introduce Fluoridation.

    Studies have shown that The Republic of Ireland with Fluoridation has better teeth than NI which doesn’t. But your opinion and mine are irrelevant, ALL the experts agree there is no danger and there is a major benefit. So mis-read studies as much as you want.

    4
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    Mute cooperguy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 1:58 PM

    You probably shouldn’t get your information from a site that calls itself FluorideAlert.

    Maybe try a unbiased independent source? Look up Cochrane. One of the most respected sources of independent science review around.

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    Mute John Boy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 2:03 PM

    On the subject of Denmark, fluoridation has been banned since 1977!!! Sorry. Its also interesting to note that fluoridation is only supported in countries that have significant connections to the US, where fluoridation first originated. Interestingly the FDA in the US has never approved supplementary fluoridation but the Americans still go ahead and do it!

    Anyway, I’m just an individual who’s insatiably curious about these things and read “Quack” research papers from the likes of those Quacks in Harvard, sure what do they know? I’m done here.

    3
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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 3:01 PM

    John Boy, don’t flatter yourself that you “read” research papers in any meaningful way. It’s been pointed out to you that the Harvard study was concerned with very high doses of Fluoride. Furthermore any research from China or using Chinese data is always very suspect as it’s a totalitarian regime. Would you believe research from Saudi Arabia that proved women were inferior to men?

    In 1977 a politician made the decision not to Fluoridate in Denmark. So what? Politician’s make idiotic decisions all the time, or didn’t you know that? We have one here in Sinn Fein, the party that can make people disappear, who is trying to get it banned here. There are scientifically ignorant politicians in all parliaments, in fact it amounts to the majority of them.

    You did read this sentence of mine “Denmark’s National Health Board actually wants to introduce Fluoridation.” Why would that be if it’s dangerous? If you don’t know the answer ask Jim Corr.

    4
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    Mute Jerry D.
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    Jun 21st 2013, 7:58 PM

    Can anyone here name someone who has been harmed by flouride? Or somebody who has died of flouride related illness?
    After so many decades of flouridating water and toothpaste, I have never heard of anyone having any ill effects from it, so if the scientists and doctors say it improves dental health, bring it on.

    3
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    Mute Briain de Seadhach
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    Jun 22nd 2013, 8:58 AM

    Correct, Jerry. Unless the consumption is ludicrously high, flouride is a safe and beneficial addition to our water. Other countries have higher natural levels of fluoride (hence no need for water fluoridation) whilst others introduce it to table salt instead. At the end of the day, if fluoridation is stopped in Irish water supplies, it’s the poorest people that will be hit hardest by dental caries.

    1
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    Mute Shayno ZO
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    Jun 21st 2013, 9:53 AM

    Make them all illegal. (I am a smoker)

    71
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    Mute Chris Feeney
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:10 AM

    yeah… great idea… lets make the criminal underworld even money… prohibition does not work

    58
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    Mute Chris Feeney
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:11 AM

    Thats meant to say *** even more money ***

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    Mute John Quill
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:48 AM

    Its a tough one, It should be illegal but its been around so long it would be difficult to do without driving it underground. Its illegality should be phased in in accordance with age groups. i.e. by 2040 (or something).

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    Mute Jonathan Delaney
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:34 AM

    I am a smoker is not an argument. (I am a smoker)

    6
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    Mute Ooh Baby
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:36 AM

    john that’s a good idea.

    As generations progress we can add the equivalent of stink bombs to them.

    Smokers would get the message when no one would go near them.

    8
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    Mute Shayno ZO
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:20 PM

    @JD, you’re right, it’s not an argument, it’s a comment in a comment section of an article. I don’t do arguments on a Friday, life’s to short, especially being a smoker! You won’t change the world on here..
    Have a good wkend.

    8
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    Mute Danny Flynn
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:48 AM

    They made oil company’s take the lead out of petrol, why not make the ciggeret company’s take the shit out of smokes? Simple

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    Mute Simon Jester
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:31 PM

    Slight difference and problem of the basic laws of chemical reactions there Danny. Unless they can figure out some way to change the actual physical properties of combustion,that a by product of burning something doesn’t produce gases and hydrocarbons and whatnot that makes up “smoke” be it in a fire or a ciggie,you are onto a non winner there I’m afraid.

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:03 AM

    Ridiculous idea. They should ban fire instead, then nobody can light cigarettes. Far better idea.

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    Mute sean fitzgearld
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    Jun 21st 2013, 9:52 AM

    Don’t usually agree with minister but this is a good start ,as a dad I don’t want to see my kids starting this awful habit ,eventually all cigs should be banned. but I see Poland trying to veto it, they of all people should ban them as a lot of polish here smoke

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    Mute Joanna Cz
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:11 AM

    For your information, the Irish smoke 29 cigarettes a day on average, comparing to polish, who smoke 23,8 on average a day. Well, that’s a huge difference comparing the population of both countries.

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    Mute Joanna Cz
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:18 AM

    Give me more dislikes/thumbs down! I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed them :D

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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:23 AM

    Irish people smoke 1,006 cigarettes a year and The Polish smoke 1,586 cigarettes a year. Per capita

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    Mute Ooh Baby
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:25 AM

    Joanna,

    I just gave your two posts a green thumb each. Only because you wanted red ones.

    Unless you’re devious and you were engaged in reverse psychology……….damn.

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    Mute Joanna Cz
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:27 AM

    Devious, not at all :)

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    Mute Donal Rafferty
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:43 AM

    People should raise their kids to be aware of the dangers of smoking and raise them in an environment that they feel comfortable talking about any peer pressure they will be under to smoke. This would be a far better approach in my opinion than hoping for someone to ban a choice.

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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:46 AM

    Sean: maybe you should be raising your kids to make informed choices for themselves instead of hoping the government will ban anything you don’t approve of?

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    Mute Chris Feeney
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:02 AM

    That only works if the parents are none smokers…. monkey see, monkey do…

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    Mute Chris Feeney
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:04 AM

    my last post above was at donal

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    Mute Dean Cassidy
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:15 AM

    Where did you get these stats, they seem very high?

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    Mute Donal Rafferty
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:34 PM

    Within parents who smoke of course but education for parents and children would tackle that issue.

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:43 PM

    The biggest cause of smoking is parental smoking.

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    Mute Seanan Pierson
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:43 AM

    Once again focusing on smoking. Where are these bans for alcohol? Or fatty foods? Both are just as harmful to health yet it is always cigarettes and smokers that get hit. I would love to see what would happen if you were to increase a pint to €10.

    Like everything that is bad for you in this world, smoking should be a choice on an individual basis.

    No disagreement from me that it is a horrible habit and hugely damaging to health but so is drinking and eating unhealthly.

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:35 PM

    Alcohol and fatty foods aren’t the slightest bit as dangerous as smoking. Alcohol and fatty foods in moderation are NOT bad for you at all. ANY quantity of cigarettes are. Even passive smoking kills, especially by heart attack.

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    Mute Simon Jester
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    Jun 21st 2013, 1:02 PM

    Think they tried banning booze once in the 1920s in America wasnt it?? Caused petty hoods to become millionare gangsters and caused massive gang wars and allowed Irishmen to amass fortunes so that one of their sons became a US president??Something not unlike todays drug gang wars.

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    Mute Joost Bos
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    Jun 21st 2013, 4:38 PM

    William, you really do not want to ban any sort of drug. Do you really want to throw away billions into a pointless Drug War in the style of the US and Mexico’s?

    Follow in the footsteps of countries such as Portugal and the Netherlands. Legalise, or decriminalise every drug, treat addiction as an illness, tax all drugs, and use that revenue for education on drugs.

    No wonder drug use has gone down in both countries, and even where it hasn’t, it’s still reduced drug-related crime across the board.

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 5:14 PM

    Joost, I’m completely in favour of decriminalising drug use such as Heroin, Cannabis, Coke etc.. I spend a lot of time in Portugal and know that system works well there and there has been no increase in use. These drugs, properly used are relatively safe. (The biggest danger with Cannabis is smoking it with tobacco.) Removing the ban actually makes their use safer BUT cigarettes are not safe. They are lethal. As someone said, they are the only product legally on sale that used properly has a 50% chance of killing you. When you think people do the Lotto with a 1/3,000,000 chance of winning.

    PS A little stat I like. If you are a middle aged woman and walk to the local shop to do the Lotto and say there’s a bit of a queue and you take say 15 minutes in total to buy your ticket, you have the same chance of dropping dead in that 15 minutes as winning the Lotto :)

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    Mute Samantha Smithes
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    Jun 27th 2013, 3:24 PM

    you cant shove drinks down someone else’s throat or force them to eat. second hand smoke is just as harmful.

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    Mute Cillian Adamson
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:08 AM

    Everyday it seems to become more of a big brother state…

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    Mute Damocles
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:06 AM

    Pointless attempt at populism.

    Don’t ban them.

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    Mute Mind of Logic
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:03 AM

    I concur with the above; ban the lot, the only positive thing that comes from them is the money the government make from tax.

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:14 AM

    “Mind of Logic” – I guess you’ve never heard about all that went on during prohibition in the US all those years ago?

    There are plenty of illegal tobacco products already entering Ireland due to the tax being so high. If you ban tobacco products completely, what do you think will happen?

    Such products being used are generally coming from places where tar levels etc are higher.

    There are some fairly successful ceasation programs that have been ignored. O’Reilly is only delighted to spit out a few populous bits so that people forget his dodgy past instead of pursuing other successful routes.

    Yes, I am a smoker btw – and no, while I don’t believe anyone should have to breathe my smoke, I don’t believe that I shouldn’t have the choice to smoke with consideration to others.

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    Mute Donal Rafferty
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:39 AM

    Well said Tony, I don’t smoke and I despise people smoking but that’s a matter of choice and proposing a ban to take away that choice is just another example of ill thought of “dramatic” politics, rather than proposing proper education and policing on the matter the best idea they can come up with is a ban, same with banning fatty foods on TV, its an unintelligent way of tackling the issue.

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    Mute Ooh Baby
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:38 AM

    Tony,

    plus the Chinese have been caught putting all sorts of extra chemicals in ciggs.

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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jun 21st 2013, 3:59 PM

    Alcohol and tobacco prohibition are two very things. The drugs have vastly different effects so I don’t think you can compare them like that.

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    Mute Kardia Skepsi
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    Jun 21st 2013, 4:09 PM

    Killian, they are both social and addictive vices. They get treated similarly as objects of trade and would both go blackmarket if banned.

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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jun 21st 2013, 4:25 PM

    I agree, I just don’t we’d see the level of blackmarket activity or, crucially, crime that they saw in Prohibition-era America.

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jun 21st 2013, 4:46 PM

    Nobody is saying that it would be the same level – but there are certain realities around prohibition.

    For example, you can’t control what’s in a controlled substance when it’s prohibited. You also hand the business over to criminals.

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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jun 21st 2013, 4:55 PM

    Fair enough but surely that would be offset by less people picking up the habit. I think the fundamental difference between alcohol and cigarettes is that people only smoke cigarettes once they get addicted. If less people start, less people smoke and there is less demand.

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jun 22nd 2013, 12:04 AM

    If you think it would mean less people picking up the habit then you need to look at how decriminalisation has worked (on some measures) for drugs in Protugal, for example.

    You’re basing none of the above on fact, just opinion. If you have facts, I’d love to hear them.

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    Mute Billy Edwards
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:08 AM

    Make Stop Smoking treatments Absolutely FREE for all Europeans–then ban all smoking., I gave up 18 months ago–couple of slips on the odd night but still off them.

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    Mute Aidan Mc Mc Donnell
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:00 AM

    Ban the lot

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    Mute Niall
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:23 AM

    Ban bans

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    Mute Pete Watters
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:54 AM

    Banning stuff just creates a black market for it, when will they learn

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    Mute Joost Bos
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    Jun 21st 2013, 4:42 PM

    Well, bring on the tobacoo black market. At least it’s so much cheaper.

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    Mute Samantha Smithes
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    Jun 27th 2013, 3:25 PM

    so let’s not do anything in fear of creating a black market.

    you must be a genius.

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    Mute Rory Mullally
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:20 AM

    Ridiculous decision I work in retail and although they wouldn’t be the most popular cigarettes , I have noticed them becoming more popular in the shop I work in and in other stores on average the government make between 4 to five euro on a packet of cigarettes if they implement this expect some sort of cut from other services or another rise in tax or maybe they’ll make up something else to tax us on

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:42 PM

    Rory, smokers COST the state money, extra costs to HSE, extra and early payouts on insurance policies, extra state payments to widows and orphans, more sick days off work, etc.

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    Mute Derek Boyle
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    Jun 21st 2013, 1:52 PM

    @william, your off your rocker, the old smokers cost the state money crap is nothing but crap, if smokers really cost the state money then ban them..ofc the reality is banning smoking would take 2-3 billion out of the tax take for the year, who do you think would then have to make up that shortfall..you and all the other none smokers/anti smokers/ex smokers ect ect.

    Same applies to booze ect..drinking is bad for you..ok ban it…ehh but what about the tax we get..ok pretend we care and increase the cost claiming its to encourage young people not to smoke/drink because its more expensive but the reality will be less tax overall as it promotes black market buying and the sale of unregulated lower grade products from other countries.

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 2:25 PM

    Derek, anyone with any sense would love to see cigarettes disappear but banning them is simply not possible therefore your logic is faulty and your point totally irrelevant.

    So I point out where the costs are that people forget about such as the loss to the state of a smoker’s taxes when he dies early and all you can say is I’m off my rocker. Brilliant, repartee is obviously your strong point.

    A friend of mine died recently at 51 years of age. He was a smoker and dropped dead of a heart attack. His wife has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Who’s going to pay to bring up his children? The state. What will that cost the state? Hundreds of thousands of Euro? His forgone income tax would be another €300,000. The loss to the state is equivalent to the tax on nearly 300 years of a smokers habit. He didn’t smoke for 300 years.

    What’s the cost of the anguish of his early death to his children, his parents, his siblings, his friends?

    The notion of a lower grade product where the higher grade kills 50% of the addicts is laughable.

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    Mute Aoife Dooley
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:32 AM

    Menthols helped me to quit smoking

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    Mute Brian Finn
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:24 AM

    Here’s an idea. Ban all manufactured cigs. Oh, buy shares in rolling tobacco companies first (‘cos you’re a politician). Reason: A lot of harmful additives are in factory made cigs that are not in rolling blends. You want menthol? Add a bit of dried mint. You want slim? Roll them slim. Banning all tobacco products is, as has already been said, offering the criminals yet another profit base.

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    Mute Noelle Mccormack
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:08 AM

    More time and money being spent on mundane crap when the important issues are left on the long finger as usual. Lets just ban getting out of bed in the morning and be done with it. We are being treated like children and will soon have no say in what we decide to do. The only thing the government want us to do is go to work (if we have a job) pay our taxes and keep bloody quiet. What a wonderful country we live in.

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    Mute roheffernan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:14 AM

    Why just ban the ones that smell better…ban them all…no one ever died from nicotin with drawel!!

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:16 AM

    Lots of people die in organised crime though (including innocents)

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    Mute Mary Ocallaghan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:56 AM

    must be very little in it for government when they are tackling this!!! cigarettes are the most addictive drug on the market ive seen addicts give up heroin cocaine cannabis drink and still suck their cigarettes daily spending ten euro they cant afford on them so give us a break minister do something about a real health issue

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    Mute Angela Gaffney
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    Jun 21st 2013, 2:04 PM

    We should ban Europe….feck of and let us decide how to live OUR lives

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    Mute Cipiatone
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:42 AM

    Big tobacco lobbyists take bow, your work is done, me thinks a well deserved bottle of Dom in Marco’s tonight. Chin chin!

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    Mute Paul Ward
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    Jun 21st 2013, 1:40 PM

    Can’t see this doing much good being honest

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    Mute Kelly O' Connor
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:42 PM

    Would they ban cigars so because men are more likely to smoke them?

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    Mute Chris Feeney
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    Jun 21st 2013, 3:49 PM

    @Kelly …. Since your commenting on men and cigars on a post about banning girly menthol cigs then im guessing thats what you smoke…. and your far to pretty to be smoking anything… just saying…

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jun 22nd 2013, 12:05 AM

    Cold hose for Chris…

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    Mute Jamie O Sullivan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:31 AM

    It’s all or nothing really, half assed headline seeking wankbag

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jun 22nd 2013, 12:09 AM

    Yep, everything should be banned.

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    Mute Emer Sugrue
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:35 AM

    This seems very silly. Either ban cigarettes or don’t.

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    Mute Sean Claffey
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    Jun 21st 2013, 10:43 AM

    Yeah cos they’re rotten

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    Mute Barry O Leary
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:01 PM

    I was listening to Dr Reilly waffling on the other night on prime time about cigarettes that are smuggled. He was largely making the point that cigarette manufactures and the money they continue to make even when cigarettes are smuggled.

    What he failed to acknowledge is it is the government of Ireland who sell the cigarettes in Ireland. They take most of the profits. All the newsagent etc do is they are licensed to collect the cash on the governments behalf.

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    Mute John Meade
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    Jun 21st 2013, 3:23 PM

    Just ban all smoking, filthy habit,

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jun 22nd 2013, 12:12 AM

    I find it quite an enjoyable habit that infringes on nobody else.

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    Mute Samantha Smithes
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    Jun 27th 2013, 3:26 PM

    it actually infringes on everyone with your disgusting second hand smoke.

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Jun 27th 2013, 3:40 PM

    Does it? Does smoking outside my own house infringe on anyone?

    My habit infringes on nobody but me. While there are admittedly rude and inconsiderate smokers who would stand outside hospital entrances smoking away, I’m not one of those.

    Smokers can be disgustingly rude – but no, it doesn’t infringe on everyone.

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    Mute Sean Bambi Keeling
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:55 AM

    Ban smokes from public places such as bus stops and parks. Nothing worse then sitting on a bench and someone sits besides you and lights up. I don’t care if you harm your own health but when they affect mine it’s a different story.

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    Mute Noelle Mccormack
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:19 PM

    so move, if a drunk driver was coming at you and you thought this might endanger your health would you not move then, what about all the exhaust fumes and pollution already in the air, who are you going to complain to about that…..

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 12:46 PM

    Ask them to stop, wave away the smoke, give them a dirty look etc.. When I go through a throng of addicts at a door I make a big scene of taking a big breath, holding it in and dashing through the door. I don’t care if it makes me look like an idiot. I just hope it makes some of them feel like an idiot.

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    Mute Noelle Mccormack
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    Jun 21st 2013, 2:57 PM

    cant say you are doing yourself any favours, the air is already polluted thanks to big companies who noone will complain about and all the unmaintained cars on the roads since noone can afford a new car anymore. So you’re just taking a nice big lung full of polluted air anyway, well done you.

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 21st 2013, 3:15 PM

    Noelle, that’s just drunken pub talk.

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    Mute Noelle Mccormack
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:20 PM

    So the air isnt full of pollution already. yea fantasy talk id say…… dont get me started on the crap put in our food, how come i know so many people who have died from cancer who never smoked in there whole life, by the way i dont drink!!!!

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 22nd 2013, 10:09 AM

    Noelle, you are talking nonsense. Admit that you do not know what you’re talking about.

    The air isn’t “full” of pollution. It’s much cleaner than it was before the smoky coal ban. Your food is perfectly OK provided you eat a balanced diet and don’t eat too much. Food is not allowed on the market if it’s not fit to eat. There are many causes of Cancer including a genetic predisposition, viruses, certain chemicals (there are lots in smoke) and radiation (very very few). Smoking isn’t the only cause of Cancer, it’s just the major AVOIDABLE cause.

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    Mute Samantha Smithes
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    Jun 27th 2013, 3:27 PM

    exactly – totally disgusting habit. second hand smoke is the WORST

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    Mute Graham Mace
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    Jun 21st 2013, 4:12 PM

    Don’t see any point in discriminating against stylistically or additive enhanced tobacco products. Pointless nit-picking, fags is fags and either they all stay or they all go.

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    Mute Pawel Kowal
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    Jun 21st 2013, 11:24 AM

    Why they don’t ask people?

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