One in five 15-18 year olds taking up smoking

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney has been urged by anti-smoking campaigners to set a date for a ban on the sale of 10-packs of cigarettes and to push for a substantial increase in the price of a pack of 20 in the Budget.

The Tánaiste indicated yesterday she does intend to press ahead with the ban on the sale of 10-packs as it emerged that large numbers of teenagers are still taking up smoking. A ban is provided for in the Public Health (Tobacco) Act.

The Office of Tobacco Control’s (OTC) annual report revealed the number of smokers has dropped to one in four, down from one in three in 1998.