A ban on point-of-sale advertising and "substantial increases in taxes" are needed to continue the decline in smoking, said the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) yesterday.
The OTC also welcomed legislation banning exposure to passive smoking in pubs and clubs. Mr Tom Power, chief executive of the OTC, was responding to the publication of Prof Cecily Kelleher's Slán Health and Lifestyle survey which revealed that the number of people smoking fell from 31 per cent in 1998 to 27 per cent in 2002.
"The figures revealed in the Slán survey are a tribute to the many smokers who have succeeded in breaking free of this addiction and it is very welcome news," said Mr Power.
The figures represent over 100,000 less smokers in Ireland or about half a million life years saved, according to the OTC. Mr Power said the survey also showed that thousands of people are still being exposed to the ill-effects of tobacco smoke in hospitality outlets such as pubs, clubs, hotels and restaurants.
"These ill-effects include an increased risk of heart disease among non-smokers and a 20 per cent increased risk of lung cancer," he said.
"In this context, the Office of Tobacco Control welcomes the support for legislation banning exposure to passive smoking in pubs and clubs," he said, adding that significant public health gains could be made by introducing this measure.
Mr Power said people's awareness of the dangers of smoking had been raised by the sustained public debate on smoking. He said the debate had resulted in the ending of tobacco advertising in the print media, better enforcement of the law and higher prices for cigarettes, all of which were "decisive" in achieving the positive results.
He praised the work of the investment in smoking cessation services by the health boards and said the role played by the voluntary agencies had also contributed to the decline in the number of Irish smokers.
"Eight of out ten smokers want to quit and in the past many tried repeatedly but failed mainly because they were unsupported. The development of better supports for people who want to quit has now improved the success rate considerably," said Mr Power.
He added that those who use Nicotine Replacement Therapy are twice as likely to succeed at quitting smoking. The OTC is based in Clane, County Kildare.