Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Tobacco Industry.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

293 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the current position in relation to the report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children on the issue of smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22156/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children on health and smoking was given careful and detailed consideration by the Tobacco Free Policy Group before finalising its own report to me. I launched that report titled, Towards a Tobacco Free Society, on 7 March this year. I supported the request from the health committee for powers of compellability to summon documents and witnesses for an inquiry into the tobacco industry.

I have already taken significant steps in advancing a national anti-smoking strategy with a view to achieving a tobacco free society. Earlier this year I advised the tobacco industry that from July no further expenditure on tobacco advertising other than limited retail and trade advertising is being allowed. Banning tobacco advertising has the effect of reducing the numbers of people, particularly young people, taking up smoking.

Earlier this year the Office of Tobacco Control was established and a board of management appointed. A chief executive officer and support staff have been appointed and the office is operational. The role of the office is to ensure that the policy incorporated in the report, Towards a Tobacco Free Society, is implemented. Among its functions will be co-ordinating the implementation of tobacco controls by health boards.

A Bill is currently before the Dáil which will raise the age limit for the sale of tobacco products to 18 years instead of 16 years and substantially increase the fines on those convicted of selling tobacco to underage persons. Price is also a significant factor in young people taking up smoking. In last year's budget the price of twenty cigarettes was increased by 50p, the single highest increase in the history of the State.

On 10 October I launched a new national multi-media anti-smoking campaign aimed at encouraging young girls to quit smoking and indeed not even to start. The drive against smoking is the largest individual focus of health campaigns undertaken by my Department.

Furthermore a comprehensive tobacco Bill is being prepared in my Department which will, inter alia, give effect to the proposals in the policy document, Towards a Tobacco Free Society.