Vol. 505 No. 2
133 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is an increase in the level of cigarette smoking in television programmes produced in the EU; the action, if any, being taken at EU level to prohibit or limit the use of tobacco on television programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13409/99]
There are no figures available to indicate the current position on this matter throughout the EU. Directive 98/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council prohibits advertising of tobacco products. Advertising includes any form of commercial communication with the aim or effect, directly or indirectly of promoting a tobacco product. Transposition of the directive is not yet completed in the member states. Ireland has long supported the introduction of a ban on tobacco advertising and an effective implementation strategy is being drawn up.
On a global level there is evidence that the tobacco industry engage in product placement particularly in films. This involves paying someone to show a particular brand of a tobacco product. This practice would not be legal in Ireland under existing Irish legislation.
