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D. Buggy



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    PA04 - Focus on Advocacy and Communication: Joint IASLC/ Global Lung Cancer Coalition Session (GLCC) (ID 358)

    • Event: WCLC 2016
    • Type: Patient & Advocacy Session
    • Track: Patient Support and Advocacy Groups
    • Presentations: 1
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      PA04.01 - A Realistic Goal? Achieving a Tobacco Free Ireland by 2025 (ID 6750)

      14:30 - 14:45  |  Author(s): D. Buggy

      • Abstract
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      Abstract:
      Introduction Ireland has a proud record of leadership in the field of tobacco control. It was the first country in the world to introduce a Workplace Smoking Ban in 2013 and the first country in Europe to announce its intention to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes. In 2013 Ireland set a target date to achieve a tobacco free society with a targeted adult tobacco use prevalence of under 5%. Other countries to formally adopt a target for tobacco free societies include Finland 2040, New Zealand 2025, and Scotland 2034. Tobacco Free Ireland[1] is a new tobacco policy for Ireland coming more than a decade after the publication of the previous national policy Towards a Tobacco Free Society[2]. It is a timely successor because of the emerging non-communicable disease burden which is caused by risk factors that can be prevented. Tobacco is well known as a major contributor to ill-health and premature mortality. It is responsible for more than a third of all cancers. For the first time, we have a target date for Ireland to be tobacco free of 2025. The question is whether this target is in any way realistic. Discussion Tobacco Free Ireland addresses a range of tobacco control issues and initiatives and contains over 60 recommendations. A high level action plan, was drawn up in consultation with those who will lead out on the recommendations which outlines the responsibilities, actions necessary and timelines for the implementation of the recommendations. The recommendations to support Ireland becoming a tobacco free Society are categorised under:- • Protection of children and denormalisation of tobacco use • Legislative compliance and regulating the retail environment • Protect people from tobacco use • Offer help to quit tobacco use • Warn about the dangers of tobacco • Enforcement of bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship • Raising taxation on tobacco products • National and International Partnerships For the first time in policy we see a commitment to substantially address supply side issues through introduction of levies such as an environmental waste levy and an industry profitability levy ring fencing income to address health promotion, cessation supports and illegal trade initiatives. The document fails to substantially address the inequality inherent in smoking patterns. In Ireland the bottom decile, at 35% prevalence, is more than twice as likely to smoke as the top decile at 16%. Specific deprived population targeted programmes such as the Irish Cancer Societies ‘We Can Quit’ programme, which challenges intergenerational smoking, have been successful and need to be funded and enhanced if a Tobacco Free Society is to be achieved. Conclusion Current adult smoking rates of 19.5%[3] suggest Ireland has some significant way to go towards achieving its target. Recent youth smoking rates of 13%[4 ]for 15-17 year olds and 8%[5] for 10-17 year olds suggests significant progress in reducing the uptake of smoking. Major investment is required to support increased quit attempts and increased success from quit attempts if the target of a Tobacco Free Ireland by 2025 is to be achieved. References 1. http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/TobaccoFreeIreland.pdf 2. http://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/towards-a-tobacco-free-society-report-of-the-tobacco-free-policy-review-group 3. http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Healthy-Ireland-Survey-2015-Summary-of-Findings.pdf 4. http://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/irelands-report-on-the-european-schools-project-on-alcohol-other-drugs-in-ireland-espad/ 5. http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/HBSC2014web3.pdf

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