Ireland - group wants govt to relax smoking ban but check out the consequences of smoking..

February 16, 2011 - Ireland (ASH Ireland - KEY Facts: Smoking is estimated to be the cause of approximately 7,000 deaths in Ireland each year, chiefly by illnesses such as lung cancer, heart disease, stroke and emphysema (Department of Health and Children); Around 30% of all cancer deaths in Ireland are attributed to smoking; 90% of lung cancers are caused by smoking (Department of Health and Children); It costs the State €1 billion (1.4 billion USD) per year to provide health services for smokers (Department of Health and Children)

A smokers’ lobby group says the next government should relax the smoking ban and have greater respect for Ireland’s one million adult smokers. Tobacco control policies should be amended so they “are fair for everyone, smokers and non-smokers alike”, said Forest Eireann. Speaking at the launch of the group’s smokers’ manifesto in Cork, spokesman John Mallon said: “There are one million smokers in Ireland, and smokers are voters too. “The next government must review the way smokers are treated and devise policies that are fair for everyone, smokers and non-smokers alike.”

References: Smokers are voters too, says Forest Eireann by Infowars Ireland, 2/15/2011; Smokers cough up average €3,500 on cigarettes last year by Evelyn Ring, IrishExaminer.com, 2/16/2011.

Some Ireland related news briefs:
Ireland - more smokers now than before the smoking ban in 2004..;
Ireland - Office of Tobacco Control to be dissolved..;
Ireland - cigarette dealers are now selling their smuggled goods door-to-door..;
Ireland - 2009 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General..;
Ireland - police force says gangs making €3m a week from illegal cigarette sales..;
Ireland - time for major effort to crackdown on tobacco smuggling..;
Ireland - tobacco smuggling has reached record levels..;
Ireland - Office of Tobacco Control 2009 Annual Report..;
Ireland retailers claim since display ban smuggling up - denied by health campaigners..;
Ireland - highest tobacco prices in the EU..;
Ireland - smoking on the increase with young women in lower-income groups..;
Ireland - Illicit tobacco trade booms..;
Ireland - no increase in excise duty on tobacco products worry about smuggling..;
reland - ASH will never give up - get smoking out of cars (and homes) when kids are present..;
Ireland - harder to quit when switching to low tar cigarettes..;
Ireland - after 2004 smoking ban decline in maternal smoking rates as well as lower risk for preterm births..;
Ireland - cancer society urges government to increase cigarette tax..;
Ireland - increase fine for cigarettes imported illegally..;
Ireland - roll your own cigarettes making a comeback..;
Ireland - lots of smokers - lots of sickness - resulting in premature death - THIS HAS TO STOP..;
Ireland - people responding well to the ban on cigarette displays..;
Ireland - Prof Clancy not enough spent on prevention..;
Ireland - tobacco vendors must register by October 1, 2009..;
Children - exposed to cigarette smoke in cars have greater chance of respiratory distress..;
Ireland - tobacco companies not helping small retailers - display ban..;
Tobacco control initiatives starting Wednesday, July 1, 2009..;
Ireland - Office of Tobacco Control 2008 annual report - Positive..;
Ireland - modest penalty for cigarette smuggling..;
Ireland - to amend tobacco legislation to to include pictoral warnings..;
Ireland - as of July 1, 2009 no advertising or display of tobacco products will be permitted in retail outlets..;
Ireland - cigarette tax abandoned over smuggling fears..;
Ireland - may raise tax on cigarettes as part of emergency budget..;
Ireland - ban smoking in cars when kids are present..;
Ireland - further provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004 are to be commenced on 1 July 2009.;
Ireland - 80% of smokers want a ban on tobacco advertising in shops to stop youngsters starting the habit..;
Ireland to ban tobacco displays..;
Ireland - reduction in admissions for acute coronary syndrome...