Vol. 231 No. 2
asked the Minister for Health if, in view of recent decisions on the matter in Great Britain and in the United States, he will consider the publication of literature warning the public of the effects of excessive smoking and the introduction of regulations controlling the advertising of tobacco.
15.
asked the Minister for Health if, in view of recent decisions on the matter in Great Britain and the United States, he will consider any action towards the control of tobacco advertising on RTE.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.
In regard to the publication of literature, two leaflets entitled "Starting to Smoke" and "Tobacco Smoking and Lung Cancer", have been published by my Department and are available in Irish and English. They have been distributed widely, especially to school children. There is also available a booklet entitled "Smoking and Health" and subtitled "A Summary of Surveys of the Evidence" which was published in 1964 and also widely circulated.
Regarding the question of the introduction of controls on advertising, the tobacco manufacturers co-operated with my Department in restricting the form of cigarette advertising, with particular reference to television.
I have the entire matter of the campaign against cigarette smoking under review. It is my intention to intensify the campaign which at present consists of the distribution of leaflets, the showing of films in schools and the use of my Department's contribution to the "Home Truths" television series as appropriate.
As I said in my reply to Deputy O.J. Flanagan on 26th October last, I believe that the most effective course in present circumstances is to continue to bring to public notice the health hazards involved in smoking cigarettes.
