Date:2020-12-16 21:15:47 Clicks:923 【Font Size:
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The Irish government set the tobacco endgame target in 2013 to reduce the smoking prevalence to less than 5% by 2025. A report shows that with the declining smoking trend and the plan to strengthen tobacco control measures, it is possible for Ireland to achieve the target.
The “Tobacco Free Ireland” plan was launched in 2013 aiming to protect children and denormalize smoking. It set out the policy framework to reduce the smoking prevalence of Ireland to less than 5% by 2025 based on the World Health Organization MPOWER tobacco control measures. According to the Tobacco Free Ireland 2019 Annual Report, the smoking prevalence has dropped from 23% in 2015 to 17% in 2019, with reduction of 1 to 2 percentage points per year and of approximately 165,000 smokers less in total over the past five years.
Taking a further step towards tobacco endgame, the Irish government will strengthen tobacco control measures to further limit children access to tobacco and e-cigarettes. The proposed legislation includes a ban on the sale of tobacco products at events or places intended for children under age 18, a ban on the sale of tobacco products from self-service vending machines, and a licensing system for the sale of tobacco and nicotine inhaling products, etc. These measures are expected to help make Ireland achieve its smoke-free target by 2025.
The decline in smoking prevalence in Hong Kong has plateaued in the recent decade, and even rebounded in the past two years. Tobacco control measures must be strengthened to work towards tobacco endgame. COSH urges the Government and the Legislative Council to promptly pass the bill for a total ban on the alternative smoking products, including electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The Government should also to formulate a timeline for a total ban on smoking to achieve smoke-free Hong Kong by strengthening the tobacco control measures.