Tobacco advertising plays an important role in promoting tobacco products particularly in relation to young people. I have advised the tobacco industry here that no further advertising or sponsorship, other than limited retail and trade advertising, will be allowed after 1 July this year. This is in line with an EU directive banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship adopted in July of 1998. With regard to an overspill of UK newspapers here, I am currently considering proposals to restrict or prohibit, if necessary, the importation for sale of newspapers, magazines or publications containing tobacco advertising.
My concerns in this area are the promotion and protection of public health and children and the elimination of childhood addiction to tobacco. Tobacco related illnesses kill half of those who use tobacco. I see no reason to defer the introduction of the measure as announced.
There are a number of diseases such as lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease associated with tobacco consumption. However, tobacco consumption is not always the causative factor in every case. Therefore, data in relation to expenditure incurred specifically in treating tobacco related diseases cannot be accurately computed. However, it is estimated that smoking related illnesses account for about 7,000 deaths each year in Ireland and much avoidable morbidity so one can see the savings in human terms which would accrue if such illnesseses were eliminated.
