asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the recent statement from the chairman of the Mass Radiography Board on the doubling of the number of lung cancer victims in the country, he will now take comprehensive measures to restrict smoking in theatres, cinemas and stores and to limit the extent of cigarette advertising in all media of communication.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cigarette Smoking and Lung Cancer.
193.
On the general question of restrictive measures in relation to smoking in public places, the policy to date has been to rely on education and persuasion rather than compulsion and prohibition. As I have already announced, I intend bringing more and more to public notice the health hazards from cigarette smoking. I am also considering general policy and in the meantime commend the good sense of theatre owners who apply a no-smoking rule during performances, and I would like to see not only cinemas and stores, to which the Deputy refers, but restaurants, food premises and other establishments following this good example.
On the question of restriction of advertising, certain restrictions on advertising cigarettes were in fact agreed with the manufacturers in 1964. A code of standards in relation to all such advertising was drawn up at that time. I am considering further restrictions in connection with my decision to intensify the campaign against smoking.
Would the Minister consider having a regulation made that any advertising of cigarettes or packets of cigarettes should contain a warning as to the danger involved in cigarettes smoking? Particularly in view of the way that cigarette advertising is used on television, would he consider it necessary that something should be done to counteract it? It might have the desired effect if there were a warning as to the danger of cigarette smoking.
I am considering a lot of things. One of the things that occurred to me is that the Television Authority might be able to fill up its advertising time without advertising cigarettes at all, say, at 10 p.m.
Instead of interrupting the programme "Into Europe"?
Or other interesting programmes. This is one idea that I am pursuing but I would like to assure the House that I intend to intensify this campaign in every practical direction and, as I have said so often before, this campaign should be directed primarily at the young in an effort to prevent their acquiring the vicious habits we have—politically and otherwise.