The Irish Thoracic Society welcomes the government’s decision to approve the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Legislation – paving the way for Ireland to become the first country in the EU to introduce this important public health measure.
Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in Ireland, killing one in two of all users. 5,200 people die from smoking every year. A quarter of these deaths are due to respiratory illness and 44% are due to cancer of which lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death in both men and women.
“Lung conditions such as COPD and lung cancer are painful, debilitating and often fatal. They are also preventable and the most powerful form of prevention is ensuring that young people never take up their first cigarette which is why this legislation is so important, said Dr Anthony O’Regan, President, the Irish Thoracic Society.
“The Irish Thoracic Society commends the Government and Minister Reilly in particular for their commitment to a Tobacco Free Ireland. We believe that the introduction of standardised packaging for tobacco products will be an important step in achieving this, adding to the success of previous initiatives and putting Ireland to the forefront of global health protection, added Dr O’Regan.
