ASH welcomes High Court decision on tobacco sales to minors

Date: 10 November 2006

ASH Ireland welcomes Benchmark High Court Decision On Test Purchase Protocol

ASH Ireland welcomes a benchmark decision on the test purchase protocol, relating to tobacco, in the High Court today. This protocol was developed by the Office of Tobacco Control - and is implemented by Environmental Health Officers.

The High Court (Mr Justice Roderic Murphy) entirely vindicated the protocol, which facilitates Environmental Health Officers in using children to test purchase cigarettes in retail outlets. If the retailer sells to these children – it is then deemed to be an offence. Cigarettes must not be sold to persons under 18 years.

The potential entrapment issue relating to this practice was passed to the High Court from the local District Court in Sligo to have it tested.

Professor Luke Clancy, Chairman of ASH Ireland, said today, “This is such an important decision for the health of our children. This decision also underlines the commitment and professionalism of our EHO’s in taking positive action against retailers who break the law - and sell killer products to our children. This protocol has been developed by our Office of Tobacco Control - and it is now firmly enshrined in our laws – and we look forward to its continued use all around the country. We congratulate all concerned with today’s positive outcome in the courts”

ASH Ireland also asks retailers to take responsibility on this critical issue of selling such a dangerous product to our children. These children will unfortunately become quickly addicted to nicotine and regrettably many well die because of this addiction”

Over 6000 people die from tobacco use in this country each year – this is a scandal -and all of us must do everything possible to reduce the impact of a product that kills at least 15 times more people annually than road accidents.

ENDS

Further information:

Wally Young, Young Communications, 01 668 0530, 087 247 1520
Professor Luke Clancy, 086 8364337

ASH Ireland is fully funded by the Irish Cancer Society and Irish Heart Foundation.