Educating stakeholders a priority for ASH Ireland

ASH Ireland focuses on key audiences such as Government, media, unions and the general public.

Government:

ASH Ireland has a policy of endeavouring to educate the government and opposition parties on tobacco related issues. Education at this level is also tied to advocacy – as there will be normally an outcome desired.

ASH Ireland informs the Minister and Department of Health and Children on all issues regarding tobacco related national and EU health legislation, for which the Irish government has responsibility. This will especially be the case when and if this responsibility is being evaded or ignored. Also, ASH Ireland continues to inform the Minister for Finance on the absolute need to increase tobacco prices – and to find a way of removing tobacco from the Consumer Price Index.

The organisation familiarises the Minister for Communications and other related agencies of transgressions in relation to tobacco and TV broadcasts. This is most likely to occur in the context of Formula One motor racing.

ASH Ireland informs all government departments and/or related agencies of developments in regard to tobacco – on such issues as marketing, manufacture, legislation, promotion and misinformation.

Media:

ASH Ireland has developed a consistently good and professional relationship with the media. This relationship is developed and maintained by the use of four specific mechanisms:

• Issuing regular and relevant press statements
• Having informed spokespeople available at short notice
• Regular use of the letters pages in newspapers
• Background briefings to journalists as appropriate

Unions:

The support of the unions was central to the success of the workplace smoking legislation. ASH Ireland continues to explore ways of informing the main union groups on tobacco related issues.

General Public:

ASH informs and educates the general public through its website and media interaction. ASH has a limited capacity to deal directly with individuals – but has a policy of assisting callers where possible.

The main education challenge for ASH Ireland in the future is the education of very young people on risks, smell factor, cost and unsociability of using tobacco. This is a competitive scenario in terms of winning hearts and minds – with thousands of lives at risk.

Young People

ASH Ireland sponsors a special award each year at the annual BT Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition held each January at the RDS Dublin. Each year a number of excellent projects on various aspects of tobacco use are displayed.  The January 2007 winners were from Colaiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal with a project entitled "Ag caitheamh tobac agus Emphysema'.  (See photo on front page of web site).