ASH Response to OTC Annual Report

Date: 12 May 2008

Press Statement from ASH Ireland
Response to Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) Annual Report

ASH Ireland welcomes a key finding in the OTC Annual Report published today - that 95% of our workplaces are compliant with work place smoking legislation. “However we must not become complacent of tobacco related issues as smoking prevalence is on the increase – and we have smoking levels among our young people, which are of immense concern”, Dr Angie Brown, Chair ASH Ireland said today.

Dr Brown went on to say, “we are particularly concerned that this report shows very high levels of non-compliance by retailers and others in regard to the sale of tobacco to minors. Of 684 test purchases, 203 outlets sold tobacco to minors and this is totally unacceptable. We commend the Health Officers on their work in this area – but this report shows that illegal sales to minors is still a very serious issue.”

ENDS.

Further information contact:
Wally Young, Young Communications, 01 6680530, 087 2471520

The Irish Cancer Society and Irish Heart Foundation fund ASH Ireland