Vol. 513 No. 6
290 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the consideration, if any, he will give to a health promotion campaign specifically targeting girls in post-primary schools in view of the increase in smoking among this category of student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3190/00]
The health promotion unit of my Department supports an extensive range of anti-smoking initiatives. The most recent anti-smoking campaign Break the Habit for Good emphasises the positive effects which quitting smoking can have on the individual and was launched in December 1998 in association with the Irish Cancer Society. The campaign involves national and local initiatives which offers support for those people wishing to give up smoking. The total cost of the campaign so far from its launch in 1998 is £850,000.
In relation specifically to younger people, the health promotion unit of my Department has co-ordinated two school programmes which seek to prevent young people taking up smoking in the first instance. The Smoking Reduction Action Programme – SCRAP – is a peer led anti-smoking programme for schools which was developed by my Department in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society, the National Youth Federation and with support from the Department of Education. The Smokebusters project, which is aimed at primary school children – seven to 11 years in an urban environment – was developed by the Irish Cancer Society, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Education and Service and the Eastern Health Board.
Action against smoking also continues at health board level and in the voluntary sector. The health promotion unit, in association with voluntary agencies active in this area, continues to produce a range of materials including leaflets and posters containing information on smoking and encouraging smokers to quit.
