Smoking rate soars
up to one third despite ban
By ALLISON BRAY
Saturday October 24 2009
A THIRD of the
Irish population now smokes, a new survey reveals.
A survey of 4,082
people this summer revealed that 33pc of the Irish population had taken up or
continued to smoke.
It is the highest
smoking rate recorded here in the past 11 years, according to the EU's 'HELP --
For A Life Without Tobacco' campaign.
Despite hikes in
tobacco tax, the smoking ban and a new law against the public display of
cigarettes for sale, the number of smokers has steadily risen since 2007 when
29pc of the population smoked.
The survey, which
was conducted between March and September, revealed the largest group of
smokers -- 45pc -- is aged between 16 and 30.
Men form the
majority of smokers at 38pc, compared with women at 28pc.
Prof Luke Clancy,
a respiratory consultant and director general of the Research Institute for a
Tobacco Free Society last night described the statistics as very disappointing.
"There is no
evidence of any decline in smoking in this survey, indicating a clear need for
higher prices of cigarettes and better treatment of tobacco-dependence,"
he said.
Cigarette maker
doubles profits
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ALLISON
BRAY
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http://www.independent.ie/national-news/smoking-rate-soars-up-to-one-third-despite-ban-1923543.html