People who smoke are more likely to contract diseases like lung cancer, but a direct causal link has not been proven, a senior cigarette company executive has told a Dail committee.
Mr Ian Birks, head of corporate affairs with the Gallaher group, said the company accepted the evidence of studies indicating that smoking was a "risk factor" in illnesses like lung cancer, and that smokers were statistically more likely to contract them. "But that is not the same thing as saying that smoking causes lung cancer," he told the Joint Committee on Health and Children.
Asked repeatedly by committee members if he believed that smoking was addictive, he said he did not. There was much "confusion" about the term addiction, and it had even been used to describe people's craving for sweets or for browsing the Internet. "But we reject the suggestion that smoking is addictive. People can choose to smoke and they can choose to give up smoking, as millions do."
Deputy John Dennehy (FF) said he found it "insulting" that Mr Birks should compare the "proven medical condition" of nicotine dependency with cravings for sweets or for using the Internet.
Asked by Deputy John Gormley (Green Party) if he accepted the Gallaher group were "drug-pushers, albeit legal ones," Mr Birks said this was "emotive language".
Mr Birks also rejected a suggestion that cigarette companies deliberately targeted young people.
Deputy Alan Shatter (FG) listed a number of the sporting events sponsored by Gallaher brands and asked: "Isn't all that advertising aimed at young people?"
