Increase prices to curb smoking, says doctor
Research published by Nicorette shows the number of heavy smokers has risen from 51% to 62% since 1993. The survey also shows women smoke more than men and a greater percentage of people would give up smoking if they were encouraged to do so.
Speaking at the report launch yesterday, Professor Luke Clancy, one of the country’s leading respiratory physician’s, urged the Government to increase the price of cigarettes in the budget to stop people smoking.
“By increasing the price of cigarettes significantly, fewer teenagers will start to smoke, people will smoke less and more smokers will attempt to quit.
“However, 52% of smokers say that neither increased cigarette price, smoking restrictions in public places or stop smoking campaigns would encourage them to give up smoking. Some of the revenue from the increased cigarette price should be used to investigate the motivational factors for these smokers and to target them specifically,” said Dr Clancy.
The survey also found that:
* More women than men smoke, with 53% of smokers being female.
* There is a downward trend in people attempting to quit, with just 61% in 2002. In 1997, 73% of smokers wanted to give up.
* Health is still the main motivator for smokers to quit, with 62% saying they would kick the habit to improve their health.
* The number of smokers saying they would quit for their family’s health has also increased from 8% last year to 13% this year.
* Nicotine replacement therapy’s availability on the General Medical Scheme is unknown to 79% of smokers.
“These statistics paint a dismal picture of smoking in Ireland. A greater effort with greater resources needs to be applied by the Government to make people quit smoking and to stop them from starting to smoke,” said Dr Clancy. Norma Cronin, anti-tobacco consultant with the Irish Cancer Society said those seeking to quit should avail of the help available.
“There is support in Ireland in the form of quit lines, smoking cessation counsellors and nicotine replacement therapy,” she said.
Ms Cronin said smokers worried about replacement therapy should realise that while nicotine is the substance that keeps them addicted, it is thousands of other chemicals in cigarettes that damage the body.
