Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
687. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular format, the amount spent on smoking cessation programmes each year since and including 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4148/13]
View answerSmoking Cessation Services within the Health Service Executive offer a wide variety of services in different areas. Specialist Smoking Cessation Counsellors are trained to deliver these services on full time, part time and sessional basis nationally. Health Promotion Departments within the HSE also offer an extensive programme of training that includes developing skills for health care practitioners to support people wishing to stop smoking. The HSE funds the National Smokers Quitline which, in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society, provides a smoking cessation advice and support service. This provides the public with access to a telephone support service from a trained smoking cessation counsellor. In 2011, a new health education campaign, QUIT, aimed at encouraging smokers to quit was initiated by the HSE. It uses real-life stories about smoking related illness to help smokers to quit. As this is a service matter, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
