Brendan Howlin
Question:168 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide patches therapy free of charge to persons who wish to discontinue smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13209/98]
Written Answers. - General Medical Services Scheme.
The general medical services scheme provides, among other services, prescribed drugs and medicines free of charge to persons who would be unable to provide these items for themselves without suffering undue hardship. It is not currently considered that nicotine patches come within the criteria of products which are required to fulfil this role. Therefore, it is not intended to make these patches available on the GMS scheme.
However, I should add that each year the health promotion unit of my Department conducts a national multi-media anti-smoking campaign to encourage smokers to give up and nonsmokers to refrain from taking up the habit. Evaluation of the last such initiative indicated that future campaigns need to "emphasise the positive" and offer smoking cessation interventions in addition to advising the target audience of the dangers of smoking. Details of a new campaign are, at present, being finalised by a team involving a partnership between my Department, the Irish Cancer Society and the eight regional health boards. It is envisaged that this campaign will incorporate support for those trying to quit through the availability of a "national quitline" assisted by a range of on-the-ground interventions at local level.