WHO recognises Minister for Health for ‘important role in tobacco control’

The Irish Cancer Society welcomes the decision of the World Health Organisation to acknowledge the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly for his efforts in tobacco control.

The Society believes Tobacco Free Ireland to be the most important policy document produced in the area of tobacco control and the WHO have rightly recognised this. They have said that Ireland ‘takes its place among leading countries globally working towards tobacco-free societies’.

The recognition comes ten years after the introduction of the workplace smoking ban, and the WHO acknowledge the input from the Minister during the Irish Presidency of the European Union in 2013 which has led to a stronger revised Tobacco Products Directive.

The Irish Cancer Society has been advocating the introduction of the plain packaging of tobacco and we know that the Minister shares our views on its merits. In its letter to Minister Reilly, the WHO acknowledge this ‘courageous decision’ and we look forward to working with the Minister towards his goal of a Tobacco Free Ireland by 2025.