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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Feb 1953

Vol. 136 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lung Cancer from Tobacco.

asked the Minister for Health if he intends to take powers to insist in the public interest that in future the tobacco companies will bring clearly to the notice of those members of the public who smoke their tobacco products, that these products, as far as this is possible to do, have been demonstrated with reasonable certainty to contain carcinogenic substance, the use of which can lead to the developmentin the consumer of cancer in the lungs.

I am aware of the fact that there has recently been a considerable amount of research into the association between tobacco smoking and cancer of the lungs. I do not feel, however, that in the present state of knowledge on the subject I would be justified in taking the measures referred to in the question. I am keeping the matter under observation and the Deputy may be assured that, if it should prove necessary, steps will be taken to safeguard the public interest.

Should we continue to smoke in the meantime?

Would the Minister at the same time require the purveyors of bottled stout to display a notice stating that the bottles contain alcohol?

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