Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 516: To ask the Minister for Health his views that separate policies for reducing the consumption of both legal and illegal cigarettes should be organised by the Health Service Executive and the Office of Tobacco Control, as 20 % of all cigarettes consumed are counterfeit. [24972/11]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 517: To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken to reduce the number of persons smoking legal and illegal cigarettes in view of the recently published research which shows that lung cancer is now the largest cause of cancer related deaths among women. [24973/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 517 together.

The Office of the Revenue Commissioners has responsibilities in the area of detection of counterfeit and contraband tobacco products. Smuggling cigarettes into Ireland is illegal and penalties prescribed in this regard reflect the gravity of such acts; however, policy with respect to the consumption of cigarettes is largely oriented towards reducing smoking - and it does not discriminate between the consumption of legal or illegal cigarettes. This is predicated on the fact that one in every two smokers will die from a tobacco-related disease - a stark fact that is central to the HSE's health education QUIT campaign aimed at encouraging smokers to quit; and in this regard, I share the Deputy's concern in relation to lung cancer deaths.

With regard to the Deputy's question on the measures being taken to reduce smoking, it seems appropriate to firstly reflect on the comprehensive range of tobacco control legislation that has been introduced in Ireland since 2002, particularly the successful implementation of the smoke-free initiative in 2004; the ban on the sale of packs of cigarettes of less than 20 in 2007; and the ban on in-store display and advertising and the introduction of the retail register in 2009. This comprehensive nature of our tobacco control legislation places Ireland in the top rank of countries internationally in this regard. Ultimately, the legislation further de-normalises smoking among children and will, I believe, reduce childhood initiation in the long term.

In addition to the HSE's QUIT campaign, other measures to encourage people to quite smoking include Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) - which are available to medical card holders - and Smoking Cessation Services within the Health Service Executive that offer services in different areas. Specialist Smoking Cessation Counsellors are trained to deliver these services on full time, part time and sessional basis nationally. Health Promotion Departments within the HSE also offer an extensive programme of training that includes developing skills for health care practitioners to support people wishing to stop smoking; they also provide support to schools around the issue of smoking and substance misuse, and support to workplaces on developing smoking policies.

The HSE funds the National Smokers Quitline which, in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society, provides a smoking cessation advice and support service. This provides the public with access to a telephone support service from a trained smoking cessation counsellor. Referral to local smoking cessation services can also be arranged and a quitting booklet is offered and sent out to all callers who request it.

Finally, there is a range of measures under consideration by the Tobacco Policy Review Group (TPRG) including price, enforcement of existing legislation and cessation services. I anticipate that the report of the TPRG will be completed in the coming months and that this will be brought to Government for decision.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 518: To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive or Office of Tobacco Control have conducted research on the dangers of counterfeit cigarettes; his views on the necessity of conducting a public information campaign specifically outlining the increased danger associated with counterfeit cigarettes. [24974/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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All tobacco products, whether legally produced or counterfeit are injurious to health. No specific research on the dangers of counterfeit cigarettes has been undertaken by the HSE or the Office of Tobacco Control, which was merged into the HSE in December, 2010.

The HSE has no direct function in relation to illicit tobacco trade which is primarily a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. However, my Department and the HSE support Revenue's Strategy On Combating the Illicit Tobacco Trade (2011- 2013). This multifaceted programme focuses on border and inland operations and internal distribution chains, and includes anti-smuggling initiatives, intelligence gathering and analysis, investigation and prosecution. In the period 2008 to 2010 the Irish Customs Service seized a total of 532 million cigarettes with an estimated retail value of €222 million representing just under 30,000 individual seizures.

The overwhelming majority of smokers in Ireland use legitimate tobacco products. The HSE's priority is to reduce the number of people smoking and de-normalise tobacco use in Irish society. The HSE recently undertook the QUIT campaign which highlighted that "1 in every 2 smokers will die of a tobacco related disease".

There is a range of measures under consideration by the Tobacco Policy Review Group (TPRG ) including price, enforcement of existing legislation and cessation services. I anticipate that the report of the TPRG will be completed in the coming months and that this will be brought to Government for decision.