Government must do more to stop children smoking, warns ASH

THE Government is not doing enough to stop children taking up smoking, a leading anti-tobacco campaigner said yesterday as new figures showed that cigarette sales are on the increase in Ireland.

Contrary to the European trend, the cigarette multi-national Gallaher saw its Irish sales expand by 0.2% last year. Enjoying almost half the market here, the company includes Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut in its products.

Professor Luke Clancy of anti-smoking group, ASH, said that, while the government was making some efforts to curb tobacco use, “they’re not doing enough”.