ASH Ireland has consistently called for significant increases in the price of tobacco as a way of encouraging smokers to quit and discouraging young people from experimenting with tobacco products. There is evidence to show that the more significant the price increase, the more significant the related outcome in terms of reducing smoking prevalence. One study shows that an increase of €1 on a pack of cigarettes could lead to a reduction of 4% in the number of people who smoke. ASH Ireland has and will continue to support Minister Reilly in his ongoing efforts to tackle smoking in Irish society and we are fully supportive of his endeavours to reduce smoking prevalence in Ireland to 5% by 2025. The stark reality remains that 5,200 people die from tobacco related disease in this country every year and we spend well over €1 billion on treating a range of tobacco related diseases annually.
ENDS
For contact: ASH Ireland, 0818 305055
Wally Young, Young Communications, 087 2471520
ASH Ireland 