Dramatic fall in young people smoking shows Ireland can become tobacco free by 2025
The Irish Cancer Society has welcomed the latest research that shows only eight per cent of young people aged between 10 and 17 smoke and says that these statistics show Ireland can become tobacco free.
The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Research launched today by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar TD marks a significant drop in the number of young people taking up the habit and continues a trend that has seen the smoking rate drop from 21.2% in 1998.
“Children are now being turned off smoking,” says Kathleen O’Meara, Head of Advocacy & Communications. “This continuing downward trend is the result of hard work on the part of government and health services to discourage children and teenagers to take up something that kills 5,200 adults every year in Ireland.”
This is the fifth edition of the HBSC in Ireland and since the initial report, each one has recorded a drop in the rate of smoking in 10-17 year olds – from 21.2% in 1998 to 11.9% in 2010 and 8% in 2014.
“The Irish Cancer Society too has worked with young people through our X-HALE project which has seen the Society invest €130,000 in youth groups over the last five years,” says Ms O’Meara. “The project empowers young people to become role models in their communities and help prevent other young people from starting to smoke. In 2015 we had over 300 people from 41 youth groups across Ireland take part in X-HALE. We believe this has contributed to the fall we see today.
“These young people will greatly reduce their risk of cancer – 90 % of lung cancers are related to tobacco.”
The Department of Health have committed to a Tobacco Free Ireland by 2025 – which means an overall smoking rate of less than 5%.
“We’re less than ten years away from this target,” says Ms O’Meara. “Although it is ambitious, the figures released today show that, with the right commitment from Government, it can be achieved.
“This generation of young people have grown up without knowing what it was like to smoke in pubs and restaurants or having tobacco displays behind shop counters. Those reaching school-age now will grow-up without the heavily branded tobacco packs as standardised packaging hits the shelves in May 2016.
“We need to continue the momentum not only by preventing young people from taking up the habit, but by encouraging current smokers to give the habit up.
“We will see a tobacco free generation in Ireland – it’s a question of ‘when’ and not ‘if’.”
More information
X-HALE
For more information on the Irish Cancer Society’s X-HALE project visit www.cancer.ie/prevention/X-HALE.
Quit.ie
The HSE Quit Team, 1800 201 203, is run by the Health Service Executive. Smokers are encouraged to call for information, advice, support and a quit booklet. Information and support is also available through www.quit.ie.
