asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the decision to defer the cessation of television and radio advertising for cigarette smoking until 1st April, 1971; and, if not, if he proposes to take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cigarette Advertising.
11.
I am quite satisfied with the decision of the Radio-Telefís Éireann Authority to phase out cigarette advertising on their television programmes. The process of phasing out such advertisements commenced on 1st April last and should in the manner in which it is being operated have an appreciative effect in lessening the attraction of cigarette smoking for the youth. I should explain in this regard that the normal RTE television programmes carry no cigarette advertising until after 8 pm in the present year and will carry no such advertisements in the coming year until after 9 pm. In three years from now they will carry no cigarette advertisements at all.
Is it not a fact that in spite of all the medical evidence from all over the world as to the effect of the great danger of cigarette smoking it is only deferring to the cigarette tobacco manufacturers' pressure lobby in deferring the end of these television advertisements for such a long time?
I quite understand that the Deputy has particular enthuiasm with regard to this matter but I indicated to him on the occasion of his last question that this is a question partly of Government action and partly of voluntary restraint. The Government are carrying out propaganda campaigns among young people to discourage them from smoking. When this matter was debated in the Dáil, a very large majority of the Dáil were not opposed to the Government's attitude towards the general advertising of cigarettes.
Is it not a fact that smoking is an imitative habit on the part of young people and that if the Minister does not stop the habit among adults, young people will continue to start smoking?
As I have already replied to the Deputy this matter will be considered again by the Government but it is partly a question of voluntary restraint encouraged by advertising under the auspices of the Government with particular appeal to young people.
Will the Minister state if the phasing out will mean just having the advertisements at a later hour at night or will there be a reduction in the volume of advertising?
I could not give an exact picture of the volume or advertising but it will be phased out altogether in a few years.
12.
asked the Minister for Health whether he has had consultations with cigarette manufacturers with a view to discontinuing advertisements in the press; and, if so, with what result.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the negative and consequently the second part of his question does not arise.