Seanad debates

Wednesday, 27 September 2006

Office of Tobacco Control Annual Report 2005: Statements

 

5:00 pm

Photo of Seán PowerSeán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senators for their contributions this afternoon. It was interesting to listen to people give honest opinions rather than feel they must defend a particular party line.

As Senators are aware, the impact of tobacco consumption on public health has been well documented in numerous reports from many agencies and organisations, both nationally and internationally. The range of diseases and ill health, including lung cancer and other cancers, heart disease, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, associated with tobacco smoke leaves us in no doubt of the absolute necessity to maintain an effective public health campaign. We will maintain that campaign.

I will deal with some of the issues raised, including price increases. I accept the maintenance of a high price for tobacco products is an important factor in preventing people, particularly children, from experimenting with tobacco. That is one reason we will introduce a ban on packets of fewer than 20 cigarettes. I hope to be in a position shortly to announce a date for its commencement. We recently placed an advertisement in newspapers informing the industry of our intentions and we will go ahead with this.

When a ban on smoking in the workplace was first proposed it was strongly opposed by the tobacco and drinks industries. We were warned about the devastating effect it would have on employment. Their main fear was a downturn in profits but the main plank in their argument was that unemployment levels would increase, which did not materialise. Few families in the country have not been affected by tobacco, alcohol or both.

The tobacco industry glamorises its product. Normally, young pretty women are seen smoking in sexy ads aimed at young people. The reason is new people must be recruited on a regular basis because their customers are dying. As Senator Bradford stated, 6,000 people die in this country each year from smoking-related illnesses. Campaigns are aimed at recruiting young people and the earlier they can do so the better.

The drinks industry works in a similar way. Last week, we were fortunate to host a wonderful event, namely, the Ryder Cup. It was a great success watched by approximately 1 billion people throughout the world. It was unfortunate that when it finished, the sporting idols to whom we all looked up glamorised drink in the manner they did after winning the competition. It was an opportunity which could have been used in a far more worthwhile fashion. That is a matter for another day.

In the advertisements run by the tobacco industry, no mention is made of the cancers, infected lungs, heart disease or discoloured teeth which are a result of smoking. We are all familiar with research showing the dreadful impact and effect smoking can have on a person's health. We have made a great deal of progress and given great hope to other countries on what can be achieved. It is important that we do not rest on our laurels but that we continue to build on the success we have enjoyed.

Earlier, I mentioned my recent visit to the United States to receive an honour on behalf of the Government. We are regularly visited by people from countries which wish to learn from our experience. I always make the point to them that while the Government, particularly the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, showed great leadership, the support of Opposition parties and trade unions was an extremely important factor. All parties had individual members who were opposed to the measure but as parties we supported it, which made it easier to implement and contributed greatly to its success.

Senator Henry raised the issue of point of sale advertising. The tobacco industry is challenging in court a measure to get rid of advertising in shops, such as colourful tobacco holders. We were banning that type of advertising and trying to ensure that tobacco would be sold from an enclosed area so it would not be possible to see where the product was in a shop and a customer would need to ask the person behind the counter. Those are some of the measures being opposed. However, we are confident that we will be successful in that regard and we will continue with the battle.

It was nice to listen to Senator Henry sharing some of her experiences and the knowledge she has from her professional life. I also listened to Senator Scanlon who took a tough decision in quitting what had been the habit of a lifetime. He has given others hope of what can be achieved. I will pass on Senator Quinn's remarks to the Dominicans at Newbridge College. They will be delighted they had such an influence on him. I hope they will have the same success with their present day pupils as they had with the Senator.

It is all about new challenges. While some Senators raised issues and recommended certain measures, no single measure will bring change. However, the combination of measures will succeed in reducing the number of people smoking. As I said, we have seen a reduction. In 1998 some 31% of the adult population smoked. Last year the figure had reduced to 24%. We want to ensure the figure continues to drop and we will make every effort to ensure that the reduction in the number of smokers continues.

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