asked the Minister for Health the total sum spent by his Department on drawing the attention of the public to the dangers of cigarette-smoking in the causation of cancer of the lung in the years 1959, 1960 and 1961 (a) on Radio Éireann and (b) in the newspapers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cigarette Smoking and Lung Cancer.
9.
While my Department has conducted a constant and sustained campaign to discourage cigarette smoking, particularly amongst young people, expenditure from the vote for Health did not arise under the particular headings to which the Deputy refers.
10.
asked the Minister for Health whether it is intended to buy TV time during 1962 in order to point out to the public the danger of cigarette-smoking in the causation of cancer of the lung.
My Department has been in communication with Telefís Éireann regarding the use which might be made of television for health propaganda. The topics to be publicised on television will be decided upon when arrangements are completed.
11.
asked the Minister for Health whether in view of the continued increase in the consumption of cigarettes in the Republic and of the recent overwhelming medical evidence showing that such cigarette-smoking can cause cancer of the lung he is satisfied that his education and propaganda campaign to bring this fact to the notice of the public is as successful as the cigarette companies' radio, television and newspaper campaign which is aimed effectively at suppressing this fact.
I have nothing to add to the replies which I have given to several other questions from the Deputy as to what I consider to be the most effective way to bring home to the public that cigarette smoking can cause lung cancer.
Surely the Minister cannot be satisfied, in view of the continued increase? Would the Minister say whether he will take any steps to reconsider the matter now, in the light of the most recent information available?
I do not think that any further intensification of propaganda on my part would have the slightest effect and I think it would, in fact, be money wasted.
12.
asked the Minister for Health whether a copy of the Royal College of Physicians report on tobacco-smoking in the causation of cancer of the lung will be made available in the Oireachtas Library.
I am arranging to have a copy of the report in question placed in the Library as soon as supplies, which were ordered immediately after its publication, are received.