ASH Ireland Welcomes Positive Smoking Figures
ASH Ireland Welcomes Positive Smoking Figures - but is concerned
that lack of Price Increases is set to Unravel all that has been
achieved
ASH Ireland has welcomed the positive smoking related statistics
released to-day by the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC). These
figures once again emphasise the success of the Workplace Smoking
Legislation - and its positive impact on the nation's health.
Professor Luke Clancy, Chairman of ASH Ireland said to-day, "in
the first 12 months of the workplace smoking ban we had a 2% drop
in national smoking levels - this equates to five times the OECD
average annual reduction. As outlined by the OTC today the decrease
represents a 6% decrease in the number of Irish people
smoking"
The decline in smoking levels for our 15-18 year olds was
particularly encouraging with a 10% reduction in the first 12
months of the ban.
Professor Clancy went on to say, "The fact that smoking levels
are again on the increase in the past few months, especially for
young people, is of course a worrying trend. This is a trend which
must be reversed - or all that has been achieved will unravel. I
have little doubt that the failure of the Government to increase
tobacco prices in the last budget is the major contributory factor
in this upward trend. In real terms tobacco products are cheaper
than at this time last year - and as price is well established as
the major contributory factor in smoking cessation and commencement
- the backlash was inevitable"
It is imperative that the Government introduces significant
price increases in tobacco prices in the next budget. We have
achieved significantly in the battle against the scourge of
nicotine addiction in the past seven years - with national
prevalence down from 31% to 23.6%. It is critical that this
positive achievement, which will have a significant impact on the
national health going forward, is not allowed to 'go up in
smoke'