Written answers

Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Department of Health

Tobacco Control Measures

Photo of Brian WalshBrian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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581. To ask the Minister for Health the number of prosecutions initiated by the Office of Tobacco Control or Health Service Executive under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts each year since 2004; if he will provide a breakdown by county and the nature of the offence. [2273/13]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Smoking is the greatest single cause of preventable illness and premature death in Ireland, killing over 5,200 people a year. Ireland’s public health policy objective in relation to tobacco is to promote and subsequently move towards a tobacco free society. Smoking is prohibited in most enclosed workplaces under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 (as amended). Further provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004 (Public Health Tobacco Acts) were commenced with effect from 1 July 2009 including:

- a ban on the display and advertising of tobacco products;

- a requirement for all tobacco products to be out of view and stored within a closed container which can only be accessed by the retailer;

- a prohibition on self-service vending machines except in licensed premises or in registered clubs and

- a requirement for all retailers who wish to sell tobacco products to register with the National Tobacco Control Office.

The aim of these provisions is to further de-normalise tobacco and to protect children from the dangers of tobacco consumption. The National Tobacco Control Office is responsible for the enforcement of tobacco legislation.

As this is a service matter, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

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