merrion street

Progress made towards a Tobacco Free Ireland 2025 Increase in tobacco-free environments in towns and citiesFirst of its kind substance misuse module for Junior Cycle – aimed at 1st Year Students

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D. and Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan T. D. today welcomed the publication of the Tobacco Free Ireland 2020 Annual Report.

Tobacco Free Ireland is Ireland’s national tobacco control policy and sets a target for Ireland to be tobacco free by the year 2025. A high-level action plan for Tobacco Free Ireland was published in March 2015 and each year the Department of Health reports on the ongoing implementation of the plan. The Annual Report outlines several key achievements in 2020, despite the disruption caused by the COVID - 19 pandemic during the year. These include:

• The inclusion of information on the dangers of tobacco use in Healthy Choices 1, the first substance misuse module of Junior Cycle Social, Personal and Health Education, aimed at first year students.
• The launch of a new QUIT marketing campaign by HSE National Communications and the HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, called The Last Stop.
• The completion by the Health Research Board of three comprehensive evidence reviews on electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products commissioned by the Minister.
• A further increase of 50 cent on a packet of cigarettes with pro-rata increases on other tobacco products in Budget 2021.

Minister Donnelly said, ‘’Despite the obvious challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, work has continued in the last year towards our goal of a Tobacco Free Ireland. By working to remove smoking from daily life in Ireland and educating young people on the dangers of tobacco, while making cessation assistance as widely available as possible, we can continue to build on the promising results we have seen in recent years.

“I urge anyone that is thinking of quitting to act now. Stopping smoking remains one of the best decisions a person can make for their health. The last 18 months has further highlighted the importance of being proactive about our own health and the health of those around us. The HSE QUIT service remains available to anyone that needs it.’’

Minister Feighan said; ‘’We continue to make progress towards a tobacco – free future for all of Ireland but especially for our young people. The inclusion of a section on the dangers of smoking in the Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum is both welcome and needed. The growing popularity of community – led campaigns for tobacco free environments in cities and towns across the country means that smoking can become increasingly removed from the lives of our children. With increased education on this topic, it is possible that we can have our first smoke – free generation.

“Our Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will ban the sale of tobacco products at places or events that are intended for children and we are also banning the sale of e-cigarettes to persons under 18 years of age. I am determined to do what I can to ensure that our children do not start smoking and can live their lives free of this addictive and lethal product.’’

ENDS//

Notes for Editors:

The HSE QUIT service provides personalised, free support by phone, email, SMS and live chat. Smokers can free call 1800 201 203 or visit www.QUIT.ie for stop smoking tips and resources, a free QUIT Kit, and to create a QUIT Plan or read other people’s stories. Peer-to-peer support is available on the QUIT Facebook Page www.facebook.com/HSEQUIT or on Twitter at HSE QUIT @HSEQuitTeam.