asked the Minister for Health whether, in view of the correlation established between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, he proposes to take such steps as are necessary to restrict the continuous misleading advertisements in the Press, and otherwise, directed towards the promotion and increase of the dangerous cigarette smoking habit which constitutes a danger to public health.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cigarette Advertisements.
I have no power under existing legislation and I do not propose to seek power to restrict advertisements inserted in the Press by cigarette manufacturers which, generally speaking, cannot reasonably be described as misleading. Moreover, an increase in cigarette smoking, while it may have deleterious effects on the health of the individuals concerned, does not, I feel, constitute a danger to the public health.
As already indicated, however, I propose to make a statement at a suitable opportunity, directing attention to the correlation which appears to have been established between excessive cigarette smoking and lung cancer, so that each smoker or potential smoker, in making up his mind as to his attitude towards the habit, will do so in the knowledge of the facts recently brought to light.
Does the Minister not agree that the occasional and rather diffident reference to the connection between lung cancer and cigarette smoking at best is greatly outweighed by the advertising of the cigarette manufacturers? Would he not accept the misleading character of these advertisements, containing references such as are in to-day's paper, that the cigarettes mentioned are "kindly to the throat", when not only may they cause cancer of the throat but also cancer of the lung?
I hesitate to pass judgment on the matter to which the Deputy has referred. I do not smoke; therefore I do not know whether cigarettes are kind to the throat or not. Sometimes my throat does not feel too good, even though I am not a smoker. The Deputy has asked me whether I do not think that my reference to this matter has been outweighed by the weight of the advertisements which appear in the Press in favour of particular brands of cigarettes. I am afraid that the advertisements do perhaps make a greater impression on the public mind than my words, but that is because people smoke and want to smoke and want to get the cigarettes which please them best.
What about advertisements which are misleading?
I shall not set myself up as judge on that.