Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Dangers of Smoking.

John McGuinness

Question:

286 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department will consider providing funds to undertake a comprehensive study and research into the dangers of smoking, its effect on individuals' health, the dangers related to passive smoking and the health risks involved; if he will consider supporting a legal action against major tobacco companies similar to that taken by some states in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11902/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The dangers of smoking and its detrimental effect on human health have been clearly established in numerous scientific studies carried out by reputable medical and scientific bodies, including the World Health Organisation, over the last thirty years. Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and coronary heart disease. In Ireland about 6,000 deaths a year are directly attributable to smoking. Smoking is a major causative factor in almost 90 per cent of the 1,500 deaths from lung cancer which occur here annually and it increases the risk of other cancers such as those of the mouth and throat. Smoking is also a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease, the greatest single cause of mortality in Ireland. Stopping smoking is one of the most immediate and worthwhile contributions anyone can make to the improvement of health, both on an individual and on a collective level.

Studies carried out internationally in recent years on the health risks from environmental tobacco smoke have confirmed that there is also a significant risk to the health of the non-smoker from passive smoking. As more and more evidence emerges of the harmful effects of environmental tobacco smoke, including the increased risk of lung cancer, there is growing public demand for a smoke-free environment. Legislation was introduced in 1996 which extended the environmental controls on smoking to a wide range of public areas and facilities to help protect people from the dangers of passive smoking.

I am currently conducting a general review of smoking and health policy and I have set up a group to advise and report to me. I hope to be in a position to announce a number of initiatives in this area over the coming months. The litigation issue is also being looked at by this advisory group and officials are monitoring the situation in the United States and other jurisdictions. When I make a final determination on this matter I will issue a statement.