Written answers

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Department of Health

Tobacco Control Measures

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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536. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to publish the results of the consultation process which ended on the 16 January 2013 and which sought the views of the public and stakeholders into proposals from the European Commission on a new Tobacco Directive; if he will confirm the reason these results have not been published to date, as the overwhelming majority of submissions received were opposed to a number of specific measure proposed therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33339/13]

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. This represents approximately 19% of all deaths. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable mortality in Ireland . Smokers lose on average 10 to 15 years of quality life. Smokers have higher levels of life long morbidity than non-smokers. Smoking is the main cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). An analysis of the results of the consultation process is being actively worked on at present and it is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. I am delighted by the progress made to date in the negotiations on the new Tobacco Products Directive at a European level. The main objective of this proposal is to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco products, particularly to children and young people. This Directive will have a very positive impact on the health of Europeans.

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