Madam, – I read with alarm that the percentage of cigarette smokers in Ireland is increasing rather than decreasing (The Irish Times, April 30th).
Given that smoking is still the greatest single cause of death and serious illness in the country, this represents a major crisis and a challenge to our health services.
May I be permitted to make a suggestion? I am told – and I am sure he will correct me if I am wrong – that the incoming Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, is a cigarette smoker. If from the day he assumes office, he were to declare that he is quitting smoking and urge all smokers to follow his example, he would do the country, and himself, a huge service. – Yours, etc,
DES MacHALE,
Avonlea Court,
Blackrock,
Cork.
Madam, – It was with much disappointment and concern here at the national cancer care charity that we reviewed the results of the Slán survey of lifestyle, attitudes and nutrition.
The key finding of this national survey of 10,364 respondents aged over 18 is that 29 per cent of the population smoke, as opposed to 27 per cent in 2002. Furthermore young adults are most likely to smoke (35 per cent of those aged 18 to 29), as well as poorer people.
Smoking causes 30 per cent of all cancers, including 95 per cent of lung cancers. Half of all smokers will die from tobacco-related disease and of these 50 per cent will die prematurely.
The Irish Cancer Society believes the Government is failing to protect people’s health by facilitating a direct resurgence in smoking. Smoking cessation and tobacco control need to be a far higher priorities.
The Government has failed to introduce a cohesive approach to discouraging young people from starting to smoke and encouraging all smokers to quit. It needs to increase the State budget for smoking cessation services, which include the National Smokers’ Quitline. It must also raise tobacco prices; for Budget 2009 we will be looking for an increase of €3 on packs of 20 cigarettes.
We cannot accept increases that merely reflect inflation. We need sharp price rises that will truly act as a disincentive. We also believe cigarettes should be removed from the Consumer Price Index to ensure their price does not have an inflationary affect.
The law banning the sale of cigarettes to minors needs to be enforced by retailers. A recent report by the Office of Tobacco Control showed 48 per cent of retailers were still willing to sell tobacco to under-age buyers.
We want to see the promised legislation on pictorial warnings on cigarette packs, which have been shown to discourage young people from starting to smoke, and point-of-sale restrictions introduced.
The Irish Cancer Society is seeking a commitment and timeline for all these actions. Only then will we see a significant yearly reduction in smoking and a reduction in cancer and other diseases directly related to smoking. – Yours, etc,
NORMA CRONIN,
Health Promotion
(Tobacco Control) Manager,
Irish Cancer Society,
Northumberland Road,
Dublin 4.