THE proposed multi billion pound deal to compensate victims of smoking related diseases in the US has been given a guarded welcome by ASH, the anti smoking lobby group. ASH chairman Dr Luke Clancy, a consultant respiratory physician, said he was delighted at reports that Philip Morris and R.J.R. Nabisco would be paying compensation.
"But personally I have some difficulty with them saying they cannot be held responsible if they pay money," said Dr Clancy.
He was also concerned that the money would be paid over 25 years. "That seems to say that they will be around in 25 years and I for one hope they will not. This is an act of faith and it is very worrying. I worry we are trading health for money. Are they making promises on the basis they will still be profitable in 25 years?" asked Dr Clancy. He said he would like to see the fine detail of the payments to be made to people whose health had been destroyed.
Dr Clancy said it was interesting that the share price for UK tobacco company BAT jumped 11 points when it was reported they were involved in secret negotiations connected with the US deal.
"The markets obviously think this is a good deal for the tobacco company. But what about the people affected? This is a vote of confidence in the tobacco companies that they are going to grow and prosper," said Dr Clancy.
Traditionally, he said, the tobacco industry in the US has been given a "soft time" but the latest move was encouraging. "Even in the US now they are under pressure and hopefully that momentum will be kept up. Whether the industry likes it or not the products they sell, promote and advertise are killing people.
In Ireland 6,000 people die each year from smoking related illnesses including lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease, cancer of the larynx, stroke, mouth and throat cancers and stomach cancer and bladder tumours.
Mr Clancy warned that women smoking during pregnancy are putting their baby at risk and also that parents who smoke around children are causing them serious harm.
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