NICOTINE 'SCOURGE' WINNING - ASH

Ireland is losing the battle against the "scourge of nicotine
addiction" although 6,500 smokers die in the State each year, ASH
Ireland (Action on Smoking and Health) said in a statement, noting
that today is World No Smoking Day.

"After some success in the past, a recent survey shows a 2 per cent
increase in smoking levels," said ASH. "The number of young women
smoking is on the increase and this is directly linked to the
identification and targeting of a key market by the tobacco industry."

The group says that despite the recent success in legislating a ban on
tobacco advertising and sponsorship throughout the EU, it was clear
that the tobacco industry was fighting back and developing every
possible means of promoting its "deadly product". The industry was
sponsoring fixtures and fittings in retail outlets and there was
sponsorship at third-level institutions.

"There is also outrageous sponsorship of motor racing, which is given
live coverage on our national television station and there is ongoing
lobbying of statutory bodies and Government Departments by the tobacco
industry."

ASH warned that half of the 6,500 people who die in Ireland each year
from tobacco use lose more than 20 years of life expectancy. "Tobacco
is a known or probable cause of 25 different diseases, including lung
cancer, bronchitis and emphysema. Passive smoking is harmful to
non-smokers and can cause lung cancer and other diseases. Tobacco
products are carefully designed to undermine efforts to stop using
them."