UCF welcome fall in cigarette sales on ban

The Ulster Cancer Foundation has welcomed today’s news that cigarette sales in the Republic of Ireland have fallen by 17% since the introduction of a smoking ban in pubs and restaurants in March.

Irish Finance Minister Brian Cowen said government income from tobacco taxes would be 128m euros (11%) lower than original forecasts for 2004 and that a 17.6% fall in sales was clear evidence that the "brave" smoking ban was a good public health initiative.

Commenting on today’s news, Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF said: “This is further evidence from the Republic of Ireland that the introduction of a smoke free policy works and is an excellent public health initiative.

“Also this evidence clearly contradicts Dr John Reid’s (Health Secretary) opinion that enforcing a ban in public places will result in people smoking more at home. Clearly once smoke free public places are created, people smoke less.”

Ending smoking in workplace and enclosed public places is the single most effective action the Government could do to protect non-smokers and encourage more smokers to quit, Mr McElwee added.

(MB/SP)