Madam, - I have read the Enstrum and Kabat report referred to by Tim Dunne (December 29th) and would remind him that this study was sponsored by the tobacco industry.
In a footnote, Enstrum and Kabat acknowledged sponsorship and connections with the industry and legal representatives of the industry.
In the British Medical Journal (volume 327, August 30th, 2003), this report was described as "fatally flawed because of misclassification of exposure". The cancer prevention study in question was begun by the American Cancer Society in 1959 to measure the effects of active smoking, not to collect valid estimates of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
More importantly, I feel the Irish Heart Foundation has a duty to advocate the introduction of all reasonable measures to reduce the incidence of, and morbidity from, cardiovascular disease in this country, whether by calling for more consultant cardiologists, or better services in primary care as in the Heartwatch programme and in secondary care facilities. However it is the introduction of meaningful interventions such as the smoking ban in the workplace which hold out the greatest potential for benefit. For Mr Dunne to suggest we have "stepped outside our brief" is most surprising.
We applaud the Minister and his colleagues in the Department of Health and Children for real leadership in this measure and for their ongoing support for cardiovascular and anti-cancer strategies. - Yours, etc.,
Dr WILLIAM FENNELL,
President,
Irish Heart Foundation,
Dublin 4.