IT WOULD be a shame if progress made in reducing the incidence of death and illness from nicotine addiction was finally compromised through complacency or political neglect. Ireland gave a lead to the world by banning smoking in the workplace and consumption fell. But, since that time, tobacco usage has gradually recovered and young people are particularly vulnerable. The great majority of tobacco users become addicted between the ages of 14 and 18 years.
Research conducted by the Office of Tobacco Control has shown that children are being sold cigarettes in nearly half of all shops and two-thirds of licensed premises in this State. That is not acceptable. Tobacco is probably a more addictive substance than alcohol and some 7,000 people die from various forms of nicotine poisoning each year. The law that requires retailers to satisfy themselves about the age of a customer before selling them tobacco products should be enforced more rigorously. Naming and shaming represents a powerful weapon. A limited number of high profile prosecutions can have a broad impact.
Minister for Health Mary Harney has undertaken to control advertising displays for tobacco products in shops "shortly". But "shortly" is an inadequate response, given that the law empowering her to take such action has been in existence for the past four years. The tobacco industry exerts a powerful influence. It
successfully challenged an attempt to ban all tobacco advertising in the courts in 2002. It delayed the phasing out of 10-packs of cigarettes. But progress is being made. Ms Harney ended the sale of 10-packs and there was a 30 per cent increase in the price of cigarettes in the budget.
The tobacco industry is unwilling to forgo its profits.
New consumers have to be recruited as old ones die.
Price, accessibility and point-of-sale advertising are the most significant factors in recruiting young people. Nine out of 10 shops currently display tobacco-advertising material. In half these cases, advertising is placed beside confectionery. The removal of such material will not prevent smoking but it may dispel the insidious notion that smoking is as "normal" an activity as sweet-eating and help to minimise future addiction levels.
The Government and the Minister cannot afford to relax their efforts to limit the scourge of nicotine addiction. Public health has been improved and medical costs cut through a reduction in tobacco consumption Courageous decisions were taken in the past. They must continue into the future.