ASH Ireland Very Concerned with Slan Survey prevalence figures on smoking

Date: 29 April 2008

Slán Survey Findings of Major Concern to ASH Ireland

ASH Ireland is very concerned with the prevalence figures on smoking – issued as part of the Slán Survey today. Our national smoking prevalence has increased by several percentage points and this will have massive implications for the overall health of Irish people now and in the years ahead. Overall smoking levels have increased from 27% to 29% from the previous Slán Survey.

Professor Luke Clancy, of ASH Ireland and Director of R.I.F.T.F.S (Research Institute For a Tobacco Free Society) said today, “we need urgent action from the Government on raising tobacco prices, removing all tobacco signage from our retail outlets, removing tobacco from our CPI and massively increasing the spend on educating our young people on the risks of tobacco use. When the Government put a 50 cents increase on tobacco products in the 1999 budget there was an immediate impact on consumption – and this is level of price increase we must have year on year.

Professor Clancy went on to say, “These figures related to smoking are quite alarming and urgent action is needed. Overall prevalence is up 2% and in some categories, such as 18-29 year old women in social classes 5 and 6, smoking levels are at 56%. The Government has set a target of ‘A Tobacco Free Society’ – and these figures released today clearly show that no progress is being made despite the immense success of our workplace smoking legislation”.

Close to 7,000 people die from tobacco use in this country each year and billions of euro are expended by our health services in treating tobacco related illness. Professor Clancy concluded by saying, “The findings of this survey are a wake up call for Government and all of us involved in health. The fight against tobacco is far from over – there is much more to do”.

ENDS

Further information contact:
Wally Young, Young Communications, 01 6680530, 087 2471520
Professor Luke Clancy, 086 8364337

The Irish Cancer Society and Irish Heart Foundation fund ASH Ireland