Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the estimated number of young people by gender below the age of 18 who smoke; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42936/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) monitors cigarette smoking prevalence and behaviour on a monthly basis to give a detailed picture of smoking patterns in Ireland and to identify trends. Information regarding smoking prevalence can be found at the OTC website www.otc.ie. The overall prevalence of cigarette smoking in Ireland is approximately 24% at June 2006, with an almost even split among male/female smokers: 18% of 15-18 year olds report as being smokers.

Three recent developments are relevant in the context of addressing the problem of smoking among young people.

Firstly, last week, I announced that from 31 May 2007, it will no longer be legal to sell cigarettes in packs of less than 20.

Secondly, the Minister for Finance decided to increase the tax on a packet of twenty cigarettes by fifty cent in the context of Budget 2007: this increase was coupled with a decision to plan for further increases in tobacco excises for a period ahead, so as to keep the level of tax increasing in real terms and with a call on the Social Partners to discount some or all of the effect of such price increases in fixing on the relevant inflation benchmark.

Finally, the HSE has announced that they are to step up enforcement activity on sales to minors.

This package of measure should ensure a reduction in smoking prevalence among young people in particular but also among the general population. I welcome these developments.