Vol. 519 No. 6
76 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the evidence, if any, he has on the impact of the tax increase in cigarettes in the last budget on the number and frequency of children smoking; if he has satisfied himself that the current range of measures being adopted by the health board is sufficient to meet an escalating problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14580/00]
Price is one of the most effective barriers in preventing young people from smoking and I will ensure that prices are maintained at a high level. I have no information to date regarding the specific impact of the tax increase on cigarettes in the last budget. However, surveys are carried out from time to time by health boards and health research agencies on the incidence of smoking among young people and these will in time give an indication of the position.
With regard to measures to tackle the incidence of smoking among young people by health boards high profile health promotion programmes are being planned involving each health board. The Eastern Regional Health Authority in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society recently launched a major campaign to reduce smoking among young people and particularly young girls.
The report – Towards a Tobacco Free Society – which I launched earlier this year identifies smoking as a childhood addiction. The new office of tobacco control will be working closely with the health boards to improve the situation in this area and work is well under way on drafting a new comprehensive tobacco Bill.
Tobacco advertising plays an important role in promotion of tobacco products to young people and I have advised the tobacco industry here that no further tobacco advertising or sponsorship, other than limited retail and trade advertising, will be allowed after 1 July this year.
I am committed to strong and decisive action in this area.
