The government is set to introduce new legislation and initiatives this morning to discourage young people from starting to smoke.

THE number of 10 to 17-year-olds currently smoking fell from 18% to 12% from 2002 to 2010, according to the 2010 Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Survey.

Anti-smoking group Ash Ireland says it is extremely worried the high cost of nicotine replacement therapy could be discouraging people from quitting.

Anti-smoking lobby Ash Ireland welcomed moves to ban smoking in cars carrying children — seven years after it first called for it to be outlawed.

The Government should consider taking a legal case against big tobacco companies for the health costs their industry is knowingly causing the State.