Noonan calls for action on smoking

THE Minister for Health has condemned the US tobacco giant, Philip Morris. Describing its recent advertisement campaign, on the effects of "passive smoking", as "spurious", "dubious" and "cynical", to applause from MEPs, Mr Noonan called on the EU to step up its campaigning against smoking.

The Minister said he regretted the Commission's proposal for a ban on cigarette advertising was deadlocked in the Council of Ministers but pledged to back the Commissioner for Social Affairs, Mr Padraig Flynn, in bringing forward new measures to reduce the prevalence of smoking.

These include programmes targeted at the most vulnerable, young people and pregnant women, the strengthening of health education, taxation of tobacco products, new workplace controls on smoking, as well as further research into best practice on anti smoking.

He was in Brussels as part of the Irish ministerial road show that hit the European Parliament this week eight Ministers attending 11 committees to explain their respective shares of the presidency programme.

Also in town yesterday were the Minister for Tourism and Trade, Mr Kenny, at the Legal Affairs committee, on the completion of the internal market the Minister for Transport Energy and Communications, Mr Lowry, at the Transport committee the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Mr Taylor, at the Women's Rights Committee on equality the Minister of State at the Department of Labour Ms Eithne Fitzgerald, at the Social Affairs Committee on employment and social policy the Minister of State for Development, Ms Joan Burton, at the Development Committee and the Minister for the Marine, Mr Barrett, at the Transport Committee.