Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 520: To ask the Minister for Health if, in view of recommendations in new research for the Irish Heart Foundation titled Tobacco Taxation, Smuggling and Smoking in Ireland, he will support the development of a comprehensive national tobacco control strategy combining tobacco tax policy, enhanced anti-smuggling measures and more effective quit smoking supports and services which the report says will reduce smoking rates, save lives and increase tax revenue on a significant scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32922/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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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 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.

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 quit 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. 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.

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. The terms of reference of this review are, among others: (a) to examine Irish and international evidence and experience of effective measures and programmes to reduce smoking prevalence; and (b) to make policy proposals aimed at reducing smoking initiation and prevalence. 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.