Smoking and the Budget

Madam, - It is difficult to understand why the Government has failed to increase the price of tobacco in the past two budgets. Price increases must form the central plank of any policy on reducing smoking, which kills more than 6,000 people annually in this State. - Yours, etc,

VALERIE COGHLAN,

ASH Ireland,

Northumberland Road,

Dublin 4.

Madam, - Smoking is a major contributory factor in heart disease and price increases are most effective means of encouraging smokers to quit. We urge the Government to significantly increase the price of tobacco in Budget. - Yours, etc,

MICHAEL O'SHEA,

Chief Executive,

Irish Heart Foundation,

Clyde Road,

Dublin 4.