ASH Ireland want the Government to urgently introduce measures in Tobacco Act, 2002, 2004

Date: 05 October 2007

ASH IRELAND WELCOMES FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON TOBACCO

 ASH Ireland welcomes notification in the national press today, which indicates that Minister Mary Harney intends to proceed, after consultation, with further implementation of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004.

  Professor Luke Clancy, Chairman ASH Ireland said today, “It is imperative that this legislation is implemented as a matter of urgency.  The ban on point of sale advertising is particularly important, especially in regards to young people.  This legislation was published in 2002 and 2004 and has been delayed for different reasons.  There are no further barriers to implementation so it is difficult to understand why we might have further delays at this point by way of consultation”

   Smoking kills close to 7,000 people in this country every year so we must take every measure possible to assist smokers to quit and discourage young people from experimenting with tobacco.  The further provisions outlined today, such as - a ban on all point of sale advertising and a ban on the display of tobacco products, are important in that they will ultimately save lives.

   Further information contact:

 Luke Clancy, Chairman ASH Ireland, 086 8364337

 Wally Young, Young Communications, 01 6680530, 087 247 1520

   The Irish Cancer Society and Irish Heart Foundation fund ASH Ireland