Welcome for cigarette advert restrictions

THE Irish Heart Foundation strongly welcomes the commitment by the Department of Health to ban in-store display and advertising of tobacco products from July 1 next year.

This is a step in the right direction and one which we know will help protect our young people from taking up the deadly habit.

Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

In fact, smokers are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack as non-smokers. Stopping smoking is the single biggest thing a person can do to protect his or her health and heart.

Research has shown that point-of-sale display can increase tobacco sales by up to 28% because the visual prompt is so strong and 60% of tobacco purchases are unplanned.

By removing tobacco point-of-sale display, we are enabling consumers to shop free of the constant bombardment of tobacco advertising and promotion. We are giving them a fighting chance against heart disease and stroke.

Michael O’Shea

Chief Executive

Irish Heart Foundation

4 Clyde Road

Ballsbridge

Dublin 4