Reilly in bid to stub out smoking

Ireland will become a de facto, smoking-free zone within the next 12 years under drastic public health measures planned by Dr James Reilly, the health minister.

Dr Reilly confirmed he is stepping up his war on the tobacco industry in a meeting with opposition TDs and senators yesterday. He said the heads of bill of his plan to extend the smoking ban to people in cars was now with the attorney general, and emphasised the importance of pushing forward with changes to how cigarettes are packaged.

However, in addition to the legal changes, he said he is now turning his attention to cutting Ireland’s smoking rate from 29% to just 5% by 2025 — far below the OECD’s current 21% average and a move which he said would make the country a de facto, smoking-free zone. The bold initiative is contained in the Tobacco Free Ireland report which has recently been given to other cabinet members.

“I have very strong professional and personal feelings about this particular industry,” said the minister, whose father and brother both lost their lives to smoking-related health conditions.

“It [tobacco] is the only product I know that is legally, freely available that will kill you if you use it. It’s a fight that we cannot turn away from and that we can’t afford to lose. It’s a battle that will continue until it’s won and it will be won,” he said.

According to the Department of Health, an estimated 5,200 people die every year of smoking-related illnesses, while one in every two people who smoke will lose their life to the addiction.