asked the Minister for Health the smoking controls introduced since 1979 with reference to (a) advertising (b) sponsorship (c) health warnings on tobacco advertisements and packages (d) the ban on smoking in certain public places (e) the prohibition of oral snuff tobaccos and (f) anti-smoking campaigns; and if he will tabulate the individual regulations and Act(s) introduced since 1979 in this area.
Written Answers. - Smoking Controls.
178.
The advertising of tobacco products is controlled by the Tobacco (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship & Sales Promotion) (No. 2) Regulations, 1986. In summary, under these regulations advertisements for tobacco products can appear only in newspapers, magazines and other similar publications. They can also appear internally in points of retail sale. Advertisements for tobacco products cannot appear in comics or other publications directed primarily to persons under 18 years of age, or externally at points of retail sale.
Advertisements for tobacco products may contain only a brand name, brand emblem, corporate name and emblem and one single representation of the tobacco product and package. They may also contain an indication of the place of manufacture, type, size, quantity and price, an approved health warning (which in the case of cigarettes must come from a choice of four such approved warnings and which must be rotated periodically) and a plain background consisting of one even colour. Advertisements cannot contain certain claims or recommendations which would mislead persons about the product.
Every package must contain an approved health warning on both the front and back of the package. On the front of the package, the warning shall be "smoking is a health hazard".
On the back one of the following:
—Smoking causes cancer.
—Smokers die younger.
—Smoking kills.
—Smoking causes heart disease.
The 1986 regulations also control the sponsorship of events. An event which was not sponsored by the tobacco industry prior to 1 May 1986 cannot now be sponsored.
The Tobacco (Health Promotion and Protection) Act, 1988, provides for the prohibition and restriction on the consumption of tobacco products in designated areas and facilities. Specifically the Act provides for the prohibition or restriction on smoking on aircraft, trains, public service vehicles, health premises, schools, cinemas, theatres and the public offices of buildings which belong to or are in the occupation of the State or a body established under an Act of the Oireachtas or in any other area designated by the Minister. Regulations are annually being drafted to give effect to section 2 of the Act. The Act also prohibits the sale of tobacco products to persons under 16 years of age.
Another feature of the Act is the direct ban on the sale etc. of oral smokeless tobacco products, products which are being marketed as "safe" alternatives to cigarettes in an effort to maintain the levels, consumption and sales of tobacco products. It provides for banning the sale, importation, manufacture etc. of oral smokeless tobaccos.
Prior to 1988 the responsibility for conducting public information/education campaigns lay with the Health Education Bureau. Anti-smoking campaigns were one of the bureau's on-going activities from its establishment in 1975.
Since the transfer of responsibility for health promotion to my Department an anti-smoking campaign was conducted in February, 1988. A major campaign is planned in 1989 to coincide with the Europe Against Cancer Year and the introduction of the regulations on smoking in public places referred to above.
List of Acts and Regulations pertaining to Tobacco enacted since 1979.
1. The Tobacco (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion) (No. 2) Regulations, 1986.
2. Tobacco (Health Promotion and Protection) Act, 1988.