Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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612. To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to pursue a proposal for plain packaging of tobacco products; if so within what time frame; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22316/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In March I announced my intention to bring a Memorandum to Government seeking approval for the development of legislation on plain packaging. I intend to go to Government on this issue in the near future.

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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613. To ask the Minister for Health the education programmes that are operated by his Department or the Health Service Executive towards addressing the problem of young people taking up smoking tobacco; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22319/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In the area of tobacco consumption one of the key areas of concern is the number of young people starting to smoke. It is important, therefore, that health promotion programmes which address smoking are in place at an early stage of young people's lives. Schools are a key setting for health promotion. The Health Promoting School (HPS) is an example of an ideal model for the promotion of health and well being and through the HPS programme many topics and issues, including smoking, can be addressed. Smoking is also specifically addressed through the Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) curriculum at both primary and post primary level and is also included as part of substance use prevention education in primary schools.

In 2011, a health education campaign, "QUIT", aimed at encouraging smokers to quit, was initiated by the HSE. It uses real-life stories about smoking related illness to help smokers to quit. This social marketing campaign is on-going.

Education programmes and social marketing campaigns are among a number of issues being considered by the Tobacco Policy Review Group. It is expected that the report of the Group will be published in the coming months.