Benchmark High Court decision on tobacco control is welcomed
Dear Editor,
Ash Ireland welcomes a benchmark decision on the test
purchase protocol, relating to tobacco, in the High Court last
week. This protocol was developed by the Office of Tobacco Control
and is implemented by Environmental Health Officers.
The High Court (Mr Justice Roderic Murphy) entirely
vindicated the protocol, which facilitates Environmental Health in
using children to test-purchase cigarettes in retail outlets. If
the retailer sells to these children, it is then deemed to be an
offence. Cigarettes must not be sold to persons under 18
years.
The potential entrapment issue relating to this practice
was passed to the High Court from the local District Court in Sligo
to have it tested. This is such an important decision for the
health of our children. This decision also underlines the
commitment and professionalism of our EHOs in taking positive
action against retailers who break the law and sell killer products
to our children.
This protocol has been developed by our Office of Tobacco
Control and it is now firmly enshrined in our laws, and we look
forward to its continued use all around the country. We
congratulate all concerned with the positive outcome in the
courts.
Over 6,000 people die from tobacco use in this country
each year. We must do everything possible to reduce the impact of a
product that kills at least 15 times more people annually than road
accidents.
Yours sincerely,
Prof Luke Clancy,
Chairman of ASH Ireland