Jim O'Keeffe
Question:68 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the further measures, if any, he proposes to discourage smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5953/99]
Written Answers. - Anti-Smoking Campaigns.
The health promotion unit of my Department continues to work closely with a wide variety of statutory and voluntary groups to ensure people have the information and support to make healthy lifestyle choices. In order to increase the levels of knowledge and awareness of the risk factors associated with smoking and to reduce the number of people smoking, several national multi-media anti-smoking campaigns have been initiated over the last number of years. In late December last year, I launched the most recent of these. The campaign urges smokers to "Break the Habit for Good" and the advertisements have been featured in newspapers, on radio and outdoor sites. The campaign was developed in co-operation with the Irish Cancer Society and the eight regional health boards and an important element of this initiative is the support being made available to assist those attempting to quit smoking. Smokers were encouraged to telephone for a comprehensive stop smoking advice kit, free of charge. The kit includes tips for quitting smoking. For those seeking local assistance or counselling the kit contains contact numbers for health board support services and the stop smoking Quitline – a counselling phoneline being offered by the Irish Cancer Society.
The health promotion unit of my Department has provided support for the development and delivery of training for general practitioners on smoking cessation interventions. This initiative is operated in partnership between the Irish College of General Practitioners and the health boards. This will add considerably to the support available on the ground to people who wish to stop smoking.
The health promotion unit of my Department co-ordinates two school programmes which seek to prevent young people taking up smoking. The smoking reduction action programme, SCRAP, is a peer-led anti-smoking programme for schools which was developed by the Department of Health and Children in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society, the National Youth Federation and with support from the Department of Education and Science. The Smoke-busters project, which is aimed at primary school children, seven to 11 years in an urban environment, was developed in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society and the Eastern Health Board.
A voluntary code on smoking in the workplace was developed with the support of the Irish Con gress of Trade Unions, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, the Irish Cancer Society, the Irish Heart Foundation and the Health and Safety Authority. The code is included in a booklet entitled "Working Together for Cleaner Air", and was distributed to over 5,000 companies, State and Semi-State institutions in late 1994. This code encourages a consensual approach to smoking control policies through a consultation process between staff and management interests.
Action against smoking continues at health board level and in the voluntary sector. The health promotion unit, in association with voluntary agencies active in this area, produces a range of materials, including leaflets and posters containing information on smoking and encouraging smokers to quit.
In addition to health promotion and information measures, there is also in place a range of legislative provisions which include a range of measures to help curtail tobacco consumption. Environmental controls on smoking were strengthened and extended in 1996. Smoking is prohibited in many areas frequented by children, including schools, child care centres, pre-schools, crèches, playgroups, day nurseries and other services which cater for children. Smoking is also prohibited in public areas such as banks, building societies, barber shops, hairdressing salons, bowling alleys, bingo halls, bridge centres, hospitals, doctors' and dentists' waiting rooms, taxis and hackney cabs. New restrictions on smoking have been introduced in cafes, canteens, restaurants and snack bars providing for specified non-smoking areas.
Shortly after I took office I established a smoke free policy group to carry out a fundamental review of all aspects of smoking and health policy, including legislation. I look forward to receiving the report of this group in the near future.