‘Teenagers have power to be first tobacco-free generation’

Irish teenagers taking on the ‘big tobacco’ industry have the power to become the country’s first tobacco-free generation, a campaign group has claimed.

The Irish Cancer Society hailed the ‘X-generation’ as it honoured youth groups from around the country for mounting anti-smoking campaigns aimed at their peers as part of its pioneering X-Hale initiative.

Figures show youth smoking rates here are falling, with almost nine out of 10 young people now smoke- free. Over a fifth were considered ‘current smokers’ in 1998 compared to just over a tenth in 2010 — a reduction of nearly half.