The theme of today’s World No Tobacco Day is plain packaging.
“We hope to see plain packs on the shelves in the coming months and the Irish Cancer Society will do all in its power to make this a reality, but we also need to look at the next steps in reducing tobacco consumption,” said Donal Buggy, Head of Services and Advocacy at the Irish Cancer Society.
“To this end, we have to make it easier for people to quit smoking and to increase the availability of supports for existing smokers.
“Innovative and progressive thinking on smoking cessation is required over the coming years.
“While we cannot discount the importance of measures like plain packaging in educating smokers and making the healthy choice an easier one, many smokers require extra support to break the habit once and for all.
“Investing in smoking cessation services is one of the most cost-effective ways of improving the nation’s health. But these need to be properly targeted.”