About
Institute Origins and Background
The institute is a limited company formed on the basis of a
partnership between the Office of Tobacco Control and ASH Ireland
and its parent organisations The Irish Cancer Society and The Irish
Heart Foundation.
The Institute plans to form a transdiciplinary academic community
around the issue of tobacco control and to support the development
of a tobacco free society by engaging in research in all aspects of
tobacco from a public health perspective.
Minister Brian Cowan T.D. in December 1988 agreed to Ash's request
to establish a Tobacco Research Institute and funded a steering
Group to develop a proposal for the Establishment of the
Institute.
Professor David Kennedy submitted the "Proposal" for the
Establishment of "Tobacco Control and Health Research Institute of
Ireland" in October 1999
In 2000 the establishment of a tobacco research centre was
endorsed and included in the government plan of action set out in
the Report of the Tobacco Free Policy Review Group "Towards a
Tobacco Free Society".
At the Incorporation of RIFTFS as a Company Minister micheal
Martin T.D. welcomed the initiative and strongly supported it as an
important componen t of Government Strategy in achieving a Tobacco
Free Society.
About our staff
Professor Luke Clancy, Director General of the
Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society, Dublin, Consultant
Respiratory Physician.
His major research contributions have been in Air Pollution,
Tuberculosis, Asthma, Lung Cancer and Smoking Related Diseases. He
reported hugely increased mortality from the Dublin smog at a time
when it had been assumed that smog consisting mainly of increased
particles was only a nuisance. Despite industry and scientific
opposition, he campaigned through the 1980s for a coal ban and was
rewarded when he saw respiratory mortality decline by 20 %
following the ban.
He has played a very significant role in TB control, both
nationally and internationally. He was elected President of the
International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD)
(Europe), Chairman of the European Respiratory Society TB
Scientific Group and an Advisor to the WHO and Dept of Foreign
Affairs. His TB research has centred on Epidemiology and the
Infectiousness of TB.
His Asthma work has included the International Survey on Asthma
and Allergy in Children (ISAAC) that showed that Ireland has one of
the highest asthma rates in the world in children.
His current focus is on the prevention of smoking related
diseases by research and advocacy. He hopes that TFRI will make a
significant contribution to Tobacco Control by providing the
evidence base to underpin the Irish Governments Policy on the
creation of a Tobacco Free Society. His advocacy work continues,
including a very successful 2nd term as Chairman of Ash Ireland
when he was identified as a staunch supporter of the Workplace Ban
and spokesman for the Pro Health Alliance which represented most of
the Workers in the country.
He continues his advocacy role for better health.
In May 2004 Ms Vanessa Clarke who has a
background in Nursing and Healthcare Management and Ms
Sheila Keogan who has a background in Nursing and Clinical
Trials Management were appointed to the Institute. Ms Keogan has
special responsibilities in the areas of Research and
Communications and Ms Clarke in the Corporate Affairs of the
Institute.