WOMEN SEEK AID FOR CASE AGAINST TOBACCO FIRMS

Two women who claim cigarette smoking has destroyed their lives urged the
Government yesterday to provide financial support for court action they have
started against several Irish tobacco firms.

Speaking the day after the European Parliament endorsed a ban on tobacco
advertising and sponsorship, the women told the Oireachtas Committee on
Health and Children they need funds for research that would assist them in
their case, which was begun in the High Court last year.

Ms Ann Moloney (44), of Bray and Ms Susan Riley (43) of Portmarnock, also
told the committee that stronger legislation was needed to curtail the sale
of tobacco and to educate young people about the dangers of smoking.

Ms Moloney said she plans to speak directly to schoolchildren in her
neighbourhood to warn them of the dangers of smoking. "I have lost one lung
and have to use a wheelchair because I have trouble breathing," she said.
"We have to reach these children in primary school or it is too late."

Ms Riley, who has been smoking for 33 years, told the committee she had
tried to stop several times, but has been unsuccessful. Dr Luke Clancy,
chairman of ASH Ireland, said current legislation that makes it illegal to
sell cigarettes to anyone under 16 years of age is ineffective because it is
not enforced.

He urged the Government to adopt legislation immediately to ban tobacco
advertising on the outside pages of newspapers and magazines. He also said
the Government must take a more aggressive stance against cigarette smoking
by having a multidimensional approach to fighting nicotine addiction,
especially among young people.

This approach could include banning all tobacco advertising and sponsorship
in Ireland, increasing the price of 20 cigarettes by 25p, adopting
legislation to deal with non-smokers' rights in the workplace and informing
primary and secondary school students about the subtlety of tobacco
advertising.

About 28 per cent of Irish people smoke and smoking-related illnesses kill
about 6,000 people in Ireland each year, Dr Clancy said.

Mr Batt O'Keeffe TD, chairman of the committee on health and children, told
Dr Clancy his presentation was like a "breath of fresh smokeless air".

He said the committee would study the submissions and expected to report
back to the Government.

Checked-by: "Rolf Ernst"