One life saved every day since ban on smoking began
However, despite the success of the measure, Health Minister James Reilly has insisted he wants to go further as part of a fresh assault on the tobacco industry.
Department of Health records revealed on the 10-year anniversary of the ban yesterday show 3,726 fewer people have died from smoking-related conditions since March 2004 than medical trends suggested would occur.
The drop-off, which officials have linked directly to the controversial decision to outlaw the habit in enclosed spaces due to the risk of second-hand smoking — a highly controversial move at the time but which has since seen a 97% adherence rate — means one person’s life has been saved every day since the legislation was introduced.
The eye-catching fact is supported by similar figures from the Irish Heart Foundation which show heart attacks, stroke and other potentially lethal conditions have also fallen dramatically over the past decade.
However, despite heralding the reductions and the ban, introduced by current Fianna Fáil leader and then health minister, Micheál Martin, Dr Reilly has insisted more work can be done.
Under plans restated yesterday, the health minister wants Ireland to become a smoking-free country by 2025 — an issue that in reality means our tobacco consumption levels will fall from 21.5% to less than 5%.
He has also criticised the marketing of e-cigarettes as a lifestyle choice instead of as a way to help smokers to stub out the habit, said draft legislation banning smoking in cars is weeks away, and has emphasised the need to impose a standard packaging of cigarettes in this country.
The move on packaging, which Dr Reilly said is aiming to reduce the risk of young people taking up smoking, received Government approval last November, while a bill on the issue is expected later this year.
“It’s very clear, given that nearly 78% of smokers in survey after survey will tell you they started smoking under the age of 18, that this industry focuses and targets our children. This is through the cigarette box which is the last billboard they have,” he said.
The anniversary of the smoking ban led to widespread support from health advocacy groups yesterday, with the Irish Heart Foundation, Irish Cancer Society and the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland noting a series of facts showing how the nation’s health has dramatically improved in just 10 years.
However, John Mallon of Forest Éireann — a group which lobbies on behalf of smokers rights but insists it is not controlled by the tobacco industry, despite receiving funding from firms in the UK — questioned the need for further measures.
He said high taxes on cigarettes have resulted in a “huge” smuggling problem, which is likely to get worse if the standard packaging plan is introduced.
While accepting the smoking ban has been a success, he said smokers should be thanked for this.
“They were the ones that were put out, they were the ones that went outside the door. They quite peacefully and calmly respected the wishes of others,” he said.
-25% fall in the number of people smoking;
-3,726 fewer deaths from smoking-related illnesses than would have been expected;
-26% drop in heart disease, a 32% reduction in stroke, and a 38% cut in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
-In the first year of the ban, acute coronary syndrome hospital admissions fell by 12%, with a further fall of 13% recorded between March 2006 and March 2007.
