Tobacco document - Stamp out habit once and for all

The killing of almost 3,000 people in the attacks of Sept 11, 2001, in the US has had the most profound reverberations around the world ever since. Far more, indeed, than the 5,200 people dying in this country of diseases caused by smoking tobacco.

Most people were probably lured into smoking by irresponsible advertising that glamorised the habit without regard to the detrimental impact on people’s health. The last policy document on tobacco control was published in 2000.

Health Minister James Reilly yesterday published a document outlining 60 recommendations designed to ensure Ireland is “tobacco-free” by 2025. The proposals are realistic enough to try to cut the rate of smoking to less than 5%, rather than aim at its total elimination.