The introduction of a ban on smoking in the workplace has been one of the most successful health-related initiatives in recent years. And former minister for health Micheál Martin should be commended for his political courage in bringing it about. But it would be a serious mistake if we, as a society, became complacent and behaved as if the war had been won against the noxious weed.
The smoking ban was just a preliminary skirmish. And it will take a great deal of further work to protect public health against the depredations of a ruthless and selfish industry.
Launching an EU information campaign yesterday, designed to warn children and young adults about the harmful effects of smoking, Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney spoke of the continuing damage being done by tobacco. Up to 7,000 people die in this State every year from tobacco-related illnesses. And a great number of hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from heart disease and breathing difficulties. The cost is enormous, both in human and monetary terms. And the killing will continue, for so long as young people are recruited as users by the tobacco industry and become nicotine addicts.
Young women are particularly at risk. And the rise in the incidence of lung cancer among this group is clear warning of the damage being done. Eight out of 10 smokers would like to quit, but nicotine is such a highly addictive substance that the majority of them fail. That is why they must be provided with intensive, organised and prolonged support programmes.
Research has shown that the great majority of tobacco users become addicted between the ages of 14 and 18 years. And cost is one of the major factors in deterring young people from buying cigarettes. The Government should adopt a twin-strand approach in this matter: the law which prohibits the sale of cigarettes to young people under the age of 16 years must be strictly enforced by the health authorities, and excise duty on tobacco products could be raised significantly in the coming Budget.
The consumption of tobacco products has declined in recent years as a result of excise duty increases, health education campaigns and the smoking ban. The incidence of adult smokers within the population has fallen from 31 to 24 per cent. And the health of hospitality workers has improved. These are positive and very welcome developments. But we must do more. Having given a lead to Europe by introducing a ban on smoking in the workplace, the Government must now tackle the core issue of young people and nicotine addiction.