Written answers

Tuesday, 17 May 2022

Department of Health

Tobacco Control Measures

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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665. To ask the Minister for Health the number of retail outlets registered to sell tobacco on the National Register of Tobacco retailers in 2021 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24260/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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666. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated revenue that would be raised annually if an annual €500 tobacco retailer license fee per retail outlet was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24261/22]

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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669. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated revenue that would be raised annually if an annual €50 electronic cigarette retailer license fee per retail outlet was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24265/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 666 and 669 together.

The current General Scheme for a Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill provides for the introduction of a licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products (including electronic cigarettes). Under the proposed system, an annual licence will be required for each outlet where tobacco products or nicotine inhaling products are sold. Separate licenses will be required for the retail sale of tobacco products and for the retail sale of nicotine inhaling products. The proposed annual fees are yet to be determined.

It is not possible to estimate the number of retail outlets that would opt to sell or continue to sell tobacco products or nicotine inhaling products following the introduction of a requirement for an annual licence and fee.

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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667. To ask the Minister for Health the level of funding provided for tobacco cessation services from 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24262/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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668. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of smoking to the State; if his Department will be conducting an updated 2022 report assessing the economic cost of smoking following on from a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24263/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent study conducted on behalf of my Department on the economic cost of smoking in Ireland, "A detailed assessment of the economic cost of smoking in Ireland" was carried out in 2016 by ICF International (UK) in association with DKM Economic Consultants (Ireland)

The study estimated the total cost of smoking to be €10.6 billion per year which included:

- Estimated healthcare costs of €506 million

- Estimated lost productivity costs of €1,071 million

- Estimated smoking related fires costs of €6 million.

- Estimated smoking related litter costs of €69 million.

There are currently no plans to conduct an updated report in 2022.

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