Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2021
232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent of any detected increase in tobacco smoking and from whence it may have arisen; if measures are likely to deter any return to tobacco consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59750/21]
View answer233. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the steps needed to be taken to dissuade a return to tobacco smoking by whatever means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59751/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.
Adult smoking trends are monitored via the Healthy Ireland Survey in order to measure success against the objective of Tobacco Free Ireland, the national tobacco control policy, to achieve a smokefree Ireland by 2025. Overall smoking prevalence declined by 6% between 2015 and 2019 indicating that increasing numbers of people are successfully quitting long-term.
In relation to relapse rates, the 2019 Survey identified that 46% of those who smoked in that year made an attempt to quit with 25% successfully quitting. The 2019 survey found that 52% of successful quitters did not use any quitting aids, with 38% using e-cigarettes and 10% using nicotine replacement therapies.
While the 2020 survey could not be conducted due to COVID-19 a survey was carried out in 2021 and its findings will be published shortly.
Reducing relapse rates amongst those who have quit smoking is an important part of the overall framework to reduce tobacco-related harm as part of Tobacco Free Ireland . Measures introduced to achieve a reduction in smoking prevalence generally will equally apply to those who have quit smoking and subsequently relapsed; these include access to cessation services, roll out of mass media campaigns under the HSE QUIT programme, increases in the cost of tobacco products and regulation of the retail environment. The Tobacco Free Ireland 2020 Annual Report which was published in September provides details on the progress made in these areas in 2020.
