Support to Stop Smoking in Homes and Cars

A ban on smoking in homes and cars would be supported by the majority of Irish people, a new survey reveals.  

The study, commissioned by Pfizer to investigate new ways of curbing smoking, revealed that 57% of people in Ireland would agree to a ban on smoking in homes and cars.

In addition:

80% of people would like to see further restrictions on the place of sale of tobacco products

82% are in favour of removing the display of tobacco products in shops.

73% would like to see the price of cigarettes increase further by raising taxes 90% say revenue gathered from smoking taxes should be used to fund health & social services.

83% favour the introduction of shocking visual on-pack warnings. These are to be introduced in Ireland soon, according to a recent announcement by the Department of Health and Children.  

The survey results were released in advance of an international conference on tobacco control - “Working together towards a tobacco free Society” – held in Dublin last week.  

Smoking is the greatest cause of preventable death and illness in Ireland and the number of people who smoke in Ireland remains unacceptably high, the conference heard.  

The latest Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition (SLÁN) in Ireland shows that 29% of the population admit to being smokers, an increase of 2% since 2002. Such increases have huge implications for our health and our health system. Approximately 7,000 people die from tobacco use in this country each year with millions of euros expended by our health services in treating tobacco related illness annually.

  “ Ireland led the way by being the first country to introduce the smoking ban in the workplace in 2004 and further action on this front included a ban on the sale of 10-packs of cigarettes. Further restrictions on advertising and the display of cigarettes in shops are expected soon. But we cannot rest on our laurels, our smoking rates could and should be lower, and we must not be complacent,” Dr. Angie Brown, Chair, Ash Ireland and Consultant Cardiologist, commented.

Posted Thursday 5th June 2008