David Byrne Backs smoking ban
Plans to stamp out smoking in public places have been backed by EU Commissioner David Byrne, who also accused the tobacco industry of aiming products at youth.
The ban, proposed byHealth Minister Micheal Martin, would take effect from early 2004 despite fears from the bar and restaurant industry that profits will be hit.
'Are we going to put into the balance the health of the public against profits? I am sure the population of Ireland and other places in the EU (don't) want (that),' the Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner said.
'I believe the tobacco industry is manipulating and misleading people and targeting young people and adolescents because they realise that if they get them young, they're hooked,' Mr Byrne told a news conference at the 12th World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Helsinki.
'I don't meet the industry any more... It is a pointless exercise because we have different aims in mind. I want to close them down, they want to make profits,' he added.
Cancer experts said today the European Commission was looking into putting gory images of diseased organs on cigarette packets.
Commissioner Byrne said they were also considering a minimum tax on cigarettes, but they do not have power to harmonise prices.
He also supported finding alternative crops for Europe's tobacco growers as part of phasing out current subsidies.
