asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a recent publication of the Journal of the Irish Medical Association in which the incidence of heart complaints is related to the use of tobacco; and if he will take steps similar to those already in operation in the United States and in Great Britain calculated to focus public attention on the dangers of the use of tobacco.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dangers of Cigarette Smoking.
5.
I have read the article to which the Deputy refers.
Arising out of it, I should refer the Deputy to the editorial on page 170 of the same issue of the Journal, in which it is stated that "there is no evidence that pipe or cigar smoking constitute an important threat to the public health". Consequently, the reference to "tobacco" in the question is misleading. The references in the article to which the Deputy refers are to cigarette smoking, particularly heavy cigarette smoking.
Further, it is pointed out in that article that:
We do not yet have proof that the association between heavy cigarette smoking and coronary heart disease is a causative one,
though the statement does go on to say that "there is no reasonable alternative theory to explain the association". On the other hand, the Report of the Royal College of Physicians which was published last year holds that it is not possible to assert that the association between coronary disease and smoking is causal, and further states that various other factors such as mental strain, sedentary occupation and indulgence in fatty foods, which are thought to increase liability to coronary thrombosis, are also commonly associated with heavy smoking and that it is possible that factors such as these may be responsible as much as smoking itself for increased mortality from this disease among smokers.
Whether or not, however, the association between cigarette smoking and heart disease is a causal one, as I have indicated to the House on a number of occasions—the most recent being in reply to a question by Deputy Barron on the 7th instant—I have taken and will continue to take steps to publicise the danger to health of cigarette smoking.
Will the Minister consider taking time on Radio Éireann and Telefis Éireann to point out the dangers of smoking?
I might, but I do not think there is any point in preaching to people who already appreciate the fact that excessive cigarette smoking is dangerous to health.
So you will not do anything about it?
I do not believe in spending public money without the expectation of some reasonable return from it.