Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014
443. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a children's future health fund to deliver a package of measures that will protect children's health, including tackling under age smoking and ending under age drinking, as outlined by the Irish Heart Foundation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37106/14]
View answerThe Irish Heart Foundation proposes the introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks and the hypothecation of part of this revenue for a proposed 'Children's Future Health Fund'. A proposal to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks remains under consideration.
The measures outlined to tackle underage smoking and drinking reflect those contained in Tobacco Free Ireland and the Report of the Steering Group on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012.
