Vol. 494 No. 6
5 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to introduce new regulations in relation to health warnings on tobacco products; his views on health warnings on all cigarette packets which state the product to be addictive; and the plans, if any, he has to classify nicotine in cigarettes as a drug. [19017/98]
I am currently conducting a review on smoking and health policy. I set up a group to advise and report to me. One of the areas being looked at is health warnings on tobacco product packaging. When the group reports to me I hope to be in a position to announce a number of initiatives in this area.
The Deputy may wish to note that, under current tobacco legislation, tobacco companies are required to display tar and nicotine levels on cigarette packets.
With regard to the classification of nicotine, it is already classified here under the Poisons Regulations as a toxic substance.
Will the Minister accept that the health warnings currently exhibited on tobacco products, particularly cigarettes, do not tell the full story? Will he urgently consider putting in place legislation requiring all tobacco products, particularly cigarettes, and advertisements to display very prominently that the products are addictive and that they are a drug? Will the Minister consider, bearing in mind the classification currently referred to him, that there should be a reference to the fact that they are a toxic substance, which is not at present advertised on tobacco packs?
When will the Minister's Department play a more active role in discouraging young people from becoming hooked on tobacco? What is it doing to offset the huge financial advantage in the advertising and promotions area which tobacco companies still have within the market generally, despite advertising controls, and which encourages young people to take up cigarettes and become addicted?
I agree with the Deputy to some extent, in that if one were to tell the whole story of the deleterious effects of smoking on cigarette packets we would need very big packets. Clearly, any public health warning message will never give the full story. However, the warning currently on cigarette packets makes it very clear that it is a very dangerous substance in terms of one's personal health.
The advisory group which I have set up to report on smoking and health policy is, among other matters, looking at the question of health warnings on tobacco products. Some countries are introducing a warning on cigarette packets advising of the addictive nature of the product. That option can be examined as soon as the advisory group makes its report. The Deputy has his views on the proactive nature of my work, but I must await the report of the advisory group. When that group returns to me with specific proposals I will be prepared to go ahead with them.
When does the Minister expect the group to report?
Early next year.
That concludes Priority Questions.
