We must stamp out smoking

IT was with much disappointment and concern here at the Irish Cancer Society, the national cancer care charity, that we reviewed the results of the SLÁN survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition in Ireland (April 30).

The key results of this national survey of 10,364 respondents aged 18 and over showed that 29% of our population smoke — an increase from 27% in 2002. Young adults were most likely to smoke (35% of those aged 18-29), as well as those in lower socio-economic groups.

Smoking causes 30% of all cancers, including 95% of lung cancers. Half of all smokers will die from tobacco-related disease and, of these, 50% will die prematurely.

We believe the Government is failing to protect the health of our people by facilitating a resurgence in smoking. It has failed to introduce an integrated and cohesive approach to discouraging young people from taking up smoking and encouraging all smokers to quit.

The Government has failed also to introduce comprehensive tobacco control policies as a follow-on from the successful ‘smoke-free at work’ legislation. The Government must also raise tobacco prices. In the next budget, we will be looking for an increase of €3 on packs of 20 cigarettes.

We cannot stand for price increases that are only adjusted for inflation. We need sharp increases that will truly act as a disincentive to people taking up smoking and as incentive to quit. The only way forward is to remove cigarettes from the consumer price index to ensure they do not have an inflationary effect.

Legislation regarding the sale of cigarettes to minors needs to be enforced by retailers. A recent report by the Office of Tobacco Control showed 48% of retailers are still willing to sell tobacco to underage youths. It is imperative that retailers enforce the law and request ID before selling cigarettes to young people. We also want enactment of promised legislation on pictorial warnings on cigarette packs, which have been shown to discourage young people from starting to smoke, and point of sale restrictions.

The Government should increase the budget for smoking cessation services, including the National Smokers’ Quitline. We would also like it to commit to targets for reduction of smoking prevalence and we look forward to working with the Department of Health and HSE in this regard.

Only then will we see a significant reduction in smoking and in cancer and other diseases directly related to it.

Norma Cronin

Health Promotion (Tobacco Control) Manager

Irish Cancer Society

Northumberland Road

Dublin 4