Conference to discuss removing cigarettes from CPI
The issue of removing cigarettes and tobacco from the index used to measure inflation is due to be discussed at a conference organised by anti-smoking lobbyists in Dublin today.
A range of speakers are expected to outline their support for the move, which is being sought by ASH Ireland.
The pressure group says removing cigarettes from the Consumer Price Index would allow the Government to hike prices and discourage people from smoking without driving up inflation.
Trade unions, however, are opposed to the move as they say it would mean inflation would no longer be an accurate measure of the cost of living.
Inflation is the figure used by the trade unions and employers when negotiating pay increases for workers in the social partnership process.
ASH Ireland, however, says unions should support the removal of tobacco from the CPI as buying cigarettes is costing their members money and damaging their health.
Fianna Fail's Tom Kitt hopes the "social partners" can agree on discounting some of the rising cigarette costs from the CPI.
Professor Luke Clancy outlines the broader benefits of helping smokers quit: "We won't see a great shift of revenue out of the country into pockets of multinationals who are addicting children costing them their lives and their health."
