Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 258: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of ratification with regard to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; the reason for the delays in ratifying this convention; her plans for ratification going forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31867/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I intend to bring a motion before the Oireachtas tomorrow seeking approval for the ratification by Ireland of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The convention is an initiative of the World Health Organisation in response to the global epidemic of tobacco addiction. The treaty, which was adopted unanimously by the World Health Assembly in May 2003 and signed by Ireland in September 2003, provides an agreed approach to tobacco control at a global level. It will be the first binding international treaty that addresses all aspects of tobacco control, including the traditional health interventions such as advertising and sponsorship bans, passive smoking and retail licensing, economic and trade issues such as taxation policy, international trade and smuggling and other areas such as product specification and issues of compensation and liability.

Ireland, which is a strong advocate of effective tobacco control policies and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, has consistently pressed certain policies nationally and internationally to protect public health and reduce deaths from tobacco related illnesses. Ratification by 40 states is necessary to enable the treaty to come into force. This figure was achieved at the end of last year. Ireland is committed to effective tobacco control policies. Its smoke-free workplace initiative, which commenced in March 2004, has drawn favourable comment from public health authorities throughout the world as an effective public health instrument in tackling the negative health effects of tobacco smoking. A number of other jurisdictions are using the Irish experience as a basis for health interventions of a similar nature.