andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that in recent months both newspaper and television propaganda by the tobacco companies has been directed towards the younger age groups; and if he will take steps to see that such a pernicious practice is discontinued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tobacco Companies' Propaganda.
12.
I am not clear as to what the Deputies mean by "the younger age groups". If they mean children, I am not aware that there has been any advertising of cigarettes directed towards this group. Such advertising would indeed be pernicious as it is an offence under the Children Act, 1908 to sell cigarettes to persons under 16 years of age. If the Deputies mean young men and women, I think that persons who have reached this age can take a responsible decision as to whether or not to smoke, without being unduly influenced by the propaganda of cigarette manufacturers. In any case, I have no authority to censor newspapers and similar publications and television items in the manner suggested nor do I propose to ask the legislature to give me such authority. I am sure that if I were to do so, it would cause widespread public resentment, particularly as, logically, such authority would need to be in general terms and could be applied to a wide variety of social habits, such as dancing, cinema-going and use of intoxicants which, in moderation, are not pernicious but in excess could be injurious to health.
Incidentally, a reputable medical journal points out this week that "Sweden's experience suggests that prohibition of tobacco advertising would have little effect on consumption".
Is it not a fact that the answer to the Swedish experiment is the fact that the British manufacturers spent £38,000,000 in advertising in the past four years?
Surely that is not a question; it is an argument.
The manufacturers' advertisements on Telefís Éireann have been directed towards teenagers.
The Deputy is not asking a question; he is making an argument.
I have asked the Minister if he has any power in this matter.
The Deputy is still making an argument. He may not ask questions all the time. He will have to resume his seat.
You allowed Deputy Flanagan to ask about ten questions and I did not object to that.
Is the Minister seriously suggesting that the section of the 1908 Act has ever been enforced for the past 40 years?
A four year old child can walk into a shop and be supplied with cigarettes, if he has the money.
I would not know about that. It is a long time since I was four years of age and I did not smoke then.
The Minister has not reached the use of reason yet.
Judging by some of the Questions and supplementaries put to me, many other Deputies are in the same position.