Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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144. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, the maternity units that have and do not have a dedicated smoking cessation service for pregnant women; the number of women who have availed of that service in the years 2009 to 2014, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3116/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Health’s policy on smoking is to promote and subsequently move toward a tobacco free society. Ireland’s current policy document,Tobacco Free Ireland, sets a target for Ireland to be tobacco free (i.e. with a prevalence rate of less than 5%) by 2025. Smoking cessation is a key goal if we are to meet that target. The appropriate management of tobacco addiction can significantly reduce the burden of chronic disease on individuals, their families and the health-care services.

The provision of smoking cessation services is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and as such, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.