Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Tobacco Sales.

Enda Kenny

Question:

132 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the estimated number of people who are regarded as smokers here in 1980, 1990 and 2000; the estimated number under 16 years of age for the years in question; the tobacco sales registered in the years in question at current value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13379/01]

The Taoiseach

The estimated personal expenditures on tobacco in the years 1980, 1990 and 1999 – estimates for the year 2000 are not yet available – are as follows:

Year	Expenditure
	£m
1980	239
1990	603
1999	1,202

Estimates have been supplied by the Department of Health and Children of the numbers of smokers for the years 1981, 1990 and 1998. These are as follows:

Year	Numbers of Smokers aged 15+(000's)
1981	840
1990	765
1998	863

Note: the figures above for 1981 and 1990 refer to "regular daily smokers" whereas the figures for 1998 refer to "regular or occasional smokers".

Information on the numbers of smokers under 16 years of age is not available for the years 1981 and 1990. However, the following estimates from the Department of Health and Children are available for the year 1998:

Boys

Age Group	% reporting that they are current smokers	Population	Estimated Number of smokers (000's)
9-11 years	9.1	94,777	9
12-14 years	19.2	103,777	20
15-17 years	31.4	108,937	34

Girls

Age Group	% reporting that they are current smokers	Population	Estimated Number of smokers (000's)
9-11 years	3.0	89,279	3
12-14 years	19.2	98,582	19
15-17 years	35.0	103,611	37

Note: The populations quoted here refer to the 1996 Census of Population.