The report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children on health and smoking was given careful and detailed consideration by the Tobacco Free Policy Group before finalising its own report to me. I launched that report titled, Towards a Tobacco Free Society, on 7 March this year. I supported the request from the health committee for powers of compellability to summon documents and witnesses for an inquiry into the tobacco industry.
I have already taken significant steps in advancing a national anti-smoking strategy with a view to achieving a tobacco free society. Earlier this year I advised the tobacco industry that from July no further expenditure on tobacco advertising other than limited retail and trade advertising is being allowed. Banning tobacco advertising has the effect of reducing the numbers of people, particularly young people, taking up smoking.
Earlier this year the Office of Tobacco Control was established and a board of management appointed. A chief executive officer and support staff have been appointed and the office is operational. The role of the office is to ensure that the policy incorporated in the report, Towards a Tobacco Free Society, is implemented. Among its functions will be co-ordinating the implementation of tobacco controls by health boards.