ASH Ireland Welcomes Legal Settlement on Tobacco Legislation

Date: 31 January 2007

ASH IRELAND WELCOMES LEGAL SETTLEMENT ON TOBACCO LEGISLATION

ASH Ireland welcomes the settlement in court today, which clears the way for the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts to be implemented. This legal action, which had been on the books since 2004, was a major barrier to progress in implementing this necessary health legislation – in particular the banning of ‘point of sale’ advertising.

Professor Luke Clancy, Chairman of ASH Ireland said this evening, “We can now proceed with legislation, which ensures that our children are not bombarded with tobacco adverts and signage every time they enter a shop or retail outlet. The withdrawal of this action by the tobacco industry was long overdue as the blocking of this health legislation was not in the best interests of anyone. The Government can now proceed and implement all of this health legislation in the best interests of the health of Irish people. I have little doubt that the full rollout of the legislation will now be accelerated and will positively impact on smoking prevalence and reduce the numbers of young people experimenting with tobacco”

Tobacco is a killer product, which if taken to the market to day would be banned from sale in every country on the planet. This is a product, which kills if used as intended - and puts massive pressure and expense on our health service. Any development, which can potentially reduce the impact of tobacco, is welcomed.

ENDS
Further information
Professor Luke Clancy, 086-8364337
Wally Young, Young Communications 087-2471520

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