08/04/2002

Tobacco advertising to be banned says De Brún

Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Bairbre de Brún, has reaffirmed her commitment to ban tobacco advertising and promotion.

Responding to an Assembly Question the Minister said she was determined that the advertisement and promotion of tobacco products should be banned without delay.

She added: " The Government has recently agreed to take a Private Member’s Bill controlling the advertising and promotion of tobacco products through the House of Commons. I welcome this development and, having carefully considered the matter, have concluded that our best interests are served by inclusion in the Bill. My officials will carefully monitor the Bill's progress through the House of Commons and will also monitor recent legislative changes in the South."

The move follows a recent public information campaign about the dangers of smoking, including a website, a magazine, and the hard hitting "Artery" television advertisement, as well as advertisements promoting nicotine replacement therapies and a telephone helpline service.

The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill, which will place restrictions on the display and promotion of tobacco products in shops and end sponsorship by tobacco companies of sporting and other events, completed its passage through the House of Lords on March 15.

The UK Government recently announced that it would be sponsoring the Bill through the House of Commons.

(MB)

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