Ireland is losing the battle against the "scourge of nicotine addiction" although 6,500 smokers die in the State each year, ASH Ireland (Action on Smoking and Health) said in a statement, noting that today is World No Smoking Day.
"After some success in the past, a recent survey shows a 2 per cent increase in smoking levels," said ASH. "The number of young women smoking is on the increase and this is directly linked to the identification and targeting of a key market by the tobacco industry."
The group says that despite the recent success in legislating a ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship throughout the EU, it was clear that the tobacco industry was fighting back and developing every possible means of promoting its "deadly product". The industry was sponsoring fixtures and fittings in retail outlets and there was sponsorship at third-level institutions.
"There is also outrageous sponsorship of motor racing, which is given live coverage on our national television station and there is ongoing lobbying of statutory bodies and Government Departments by the tobacco industry."
ASH warned that half of the 6,500 people who die in Ireland each year from tobacco use lose more than 20 years of life expectancy. "Tobacco is a known or probable cause of 25 different diseases, including lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema. Passive smoking is harmful to non-smokers and can cause lung cancer and other diseases. Tobacco products are carefully designed to undermine efforts to stop using them."