NICOTINE should be classified by the Government as an addictive drug, anti smoking groups said in reaction to measures ordered by US President Bill Clinton yesterday.
A spokesman for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said there were lessons to be learned from US measures, which include the classification of nicotine as an addictive drug elimination of cigarette vending machines tighter restrictions on the selling of cigarettes to young people and a review of tobacco industry sponsorship.
The Irish Cancer Society has also welcomed the President's initiatives, and believes the Irish Government will have to introduce similar laws.
On the question of selling cigarettes to young people, ASH said: "Ireland has legislation to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to children under 16, but it is not enforced, and to date not one retailer has been prosecuted."
Monitoring the sale of cigarettes to young people is normally done by Environmental Health Officers attached to the Department of Health. But they are in dispute with the Department, and it is uncertain how much monitoring is being done.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said the Department would have to study the US plans before commenting.