As many people prepare to give up smoking for the new year, ASH Ireland has warned the Government that it is losing the battle against the tobacco industry. In a statement, the campaign group welcomed recent initiatives, including the 50p increase in the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes and publication of the Joint Oireachtas Report on Smoking and Health.
However, it said that the Government should implement legislative changes to curtail smoking and thus significantly reduce the number of people dying from tobacco-related diseases.
In particular, ASH Ireland urged the Government to:
Ban all advertising sponsorship and the promotion of tobacco products, starting immediately with a ban on outer-page advertising. The ban should extend to televising Formula One racing in its present form.
Ban smoking in all enclosed public places and sports arenas, as well as in the workplace.
Introduce ongoing smoking prevention programmes in primary and secondary schools.
Ensure that the Tobacco Control and Research Institute, plans for which are currently with the Department of Health and Children, urgently begins its work so that all aspects of smoking can be studied and effective countermeasures developed.
Dr Luke Clancy, ASH Ireland's chairman, said: "The tobacco industry, through advertising, promotion, product placement, point-of-sale promotion, motor racing and creative pro-smoking editorial are winning the battle in terms of glamorising a product that is both addictive and highly dangerous."
He said that ASH Ireland had sought a £1 increase in the price of 20 cigarettes in the Budget and was disappointed not to have achieved this.
According to one survey, 25 per cent of Dublin smokers plan to quit for the millennium. The main motives for giving up are health concerns (73 per cent), saving money (49 per cent), fears of the impact on family health (16 per cent) and social reasons (16 per cent).
New Year's Eve, however, may not be the best time to decide to quit, according to Dr Fenton Howell, president of the Irish Medical Organisation and a board member of ASH Ireland.
"People shouldn't get hung up about January 1st or Ash Wednesday. If you don't feel you're ready, it's better that you don't put yourself through the experience of failing."
Dr Howell offered the following advice to those trying to quit smoking: "First, draw up a list of pros and cons and decide for yourself to give up; second, set a date and prepare in advance by removing all the paraphernalia of smoking, such as cigarettes, matches and ashtrays; third, tell your friends and ask for their support; fourth, use nicotine replacement therapy, if necessary; and fifth, do things to distract yourself when you crave a cigarette, such as go for a walk or eat an apple."
More information on how to give up smoking can be obtained by calling the Irish Cancer Society's helpline on 1800 200 700.
