Policy-makers urged to listen to young people on smoking

Policy-makers are being urged to listen to the opinions of young people when drawing up initiatives to combat smoking.

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is holding a consultative forum in Dublin today to ask young people how they can work towards a life without tobacco.

Eight participants from today's event will be selected to represent Ireland at a conference in Brussels in May, which will contribute to the creation of the first European Youth Manifesto on smoking.

NYCI spokesperson Sarah Gahan said the smoking ban is helping to gradually shift young people's views.

"The smoking ban is a very welcome gesture and one which is making huge inroads into Ireland's lifestyle and Ireland's attitude to smoking, but it's one which will take probably some time to filter down to young people,” she said.

Ms Gahan added that the NYCI hopes that the smoking will soon be seen as less cool among young people.