[Oireachtas] Dail Eireann debate. Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages. (28 Feb 2013)
External website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2...
An Ceann Comhairle: As there are no amendments on Report Stage, we will proceed to Fifth Stage.
Bill reported without amendment.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): I thank the Deputies who have supported the Bill and contributed to the debate on it as it has passed through the House. Their support for the important work of reducing the number of smokers is heartening. The Department of Health and the HSE continuously monitor the marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. As these tactics evolve, so too must our legislative and policy framework. I am pleased that the legislation which was introduced to fulfil our obligation to change our laws on the minimum pricing of tobacco allows me to regulate the industry's various promotion tactics. In that context, I take the opportunity to display an example of the new tactics being used by the industry to promote new products and thereby ensnare young people, including those under the age of 18 years. As I have said previously, the findings of a 2006 survey showed that 78% of Irish smokers started to smoke before they reached that age. Here we have an advertisement that is slim and nicely presented and which has the name of a high-end fashion magazine attached to it.
An Ceann Comhairle: I am afraid we are not allowed to display such items in the Chamber.
Deputy James Reilly: The images being displayed on cigarette packets show the reality of what smoking does to people. We want them to understand the consequences of smoking include peripheral vascular disease, the amputation of legs, rotten lungs and cancer. When they see these images on the front of cigarette packets every time they open them, I hope they will realise the harm they are doing to themselves. We are here to help smokers and want to help them to quit. We are not anti-smoker but anti-smoking.
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Prevention approach > Prevention through information and education
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Health related issues > Health information and education
MM-MO Crime and law > Substance use laws > Tobacco / cigarette laws
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Marketing and public relations (advertising)
N Communication, information and education > Information use and impact
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
Repository Staff Only: item control page