Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 November 2012
221. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the measures taken by the National Tobacco Control Office to ensure that tobacco retailers at markets and fairs are registered with the Office under the Public Health Tobacco Acts 2002 and 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50616/12]
View answerSmoking is the greatest single cause of preventable illness and premature death in Ireland, killing over 5,200 people a year. Ireland’s public health policy objective in relation to tobacco is to promote and subsequently move towards a tobacco free society.
As the Deputy may be aware, further provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004 (Public Health Tobacco Acts) were commenced with effect from 1 July 2009 including: a ban on the display and advertising of tobacco products; a requirement for all tobacco products to be out of view and stored within a closed container which can only be accessed by the retailer; a prohibition on self-service vending machines except in licensed premises or in registered clubs and a requirement for all retailers who wish to sell tobacco products to register with the National Tobacco Control Office.
The aim of these provisions is to further de-normalise tobacco and to protect children from the dangers of tobacco consumption. As the maintenance of the retail register is a service matter, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
