Smoking protest at German embassy

Date: 12 February 2003

ASH Ireland, The Irish Heart Foundation and The Irish Cancer Society were represented at a protest outside the German Embassy in Dublin today, which calls on the German Government to quit supporting the tobacco industry and support the German Health Lobby.

Dr. Fenton Howell, Chairperson of ASH Ireland speaking at the protest said, “We made this protest and delivered a letter to the German Embassy to show our support for German NGOs – who are pro-health and opposed to unhealthy relationships which exists between the German Government and tobacco industry. For all those involved in the fight against tobacco in the EU, it is clear that the German government are unique in their ongoing support for an industry which effectively kills 500,000 EU citizens every year.”

In 1997, the German Government opposed the introduction of a EU wide ban on advertising and sponsorship and since adopted a most negative approach to progress in the fight against tobacco.

In many cases the German Government is openly supportive of positions taken by the tobacco industry on health legislation – and this is quite incredible when the well-documented health risks are considered. In regard to the introduction of a tobacco-advertising ban in the EU - the German Government is adopting a blocking position against all other 14 EU states.

All other 14 EU states are also fighting to have a comprehensive tobacco advertising ban included in the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on tobacco control next week - and we ask them the German Government to change their stance and support this necessary measure.