UK tobacco control group meets Irish police (to discuss smoking and health?)
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 12:36 Something rather strange is happening in Ireland today.
When I first raised the subject of Forest setting up a group in Ireland I was told, "No thanks, we don't want people from England telling us what to do".
Of course not, I replied. That's not what we have in mind. We'll set up an independent group and employ someone in Ireland (an Irishman, since you ask). All we'll do is offer help and advice.
That was in 2001. The suggestion was rejected and three years later Ireland introduced what was said to be the world's first comprehensive ban on smoking in public places. (I'm not saying there is a link but organised opposition was noticeable by its absence in the years prior to the ban.)
Anyway, fast forward to today and what do I find:
Anti-smoking experts from the UK are meeting with gardai and the HSE today to discuss ways to encourage people to quit smoking.
Anti-smoking experts from the UK say that encouraging smokers to quit should be Ireland's number one health priority.
These so-called 'experts' are all over the airwaves – NewsTalk, Today FM, Kildare FM, Spin FM, Galway Bay FM, WLR FM ... What's going on?
Another media report reveals that:
Fresh was the UK's first dedicated programme set up in the North East of England to tackle the worst rates of smoking related illnesses and deaths in the country.
Ah, so the 'experts' are Fresh aka Smokefree North East.
Question: what is a tobacco control group funded by the British taxpayer doing in Ireland discussing ways to encourage people to quit smoking?
Who paid for this junket? And why are they meeting with gardai? What have the police got to do with smoking and health?
Answers, please.
Simon Clark
John Mallon, our man in Ireland, writes:
Mystery solved! Prof Eugene Milne, Deputy Regional Director of Public Health from the UK North East Region, was in Dublin to receive an award from the Irish Cancer Society for his work in the area of anti smoking.
The good Prof put it all down to multiple agencies coming together in the UK and putting in place (as he put it), "Concerted efforts on many fronts". He claims that from 2005-2009 smoking rates drop from 29 to 22 per cent in the UK. He cites the setting up of the Office of Tobacco Control UK as being the catalyst.
"The meeting with the Gardai is a mystery," adds John, "unless, as I suspect, a lot of the smuggled ciggies that come through Ireland end up in the UK."
Reader Comments (5)
This is weird remembering that when the smoking ban was first introduced in Ireland, the Commissioner of the Gardai formally announced that they would not 'police' the ban, necessitating the formation of a civilian smoking police from the ranks of the Health Service.Wouldn't it be gas if the Gardai arrested this visiting junket for 'hate crimes'.
It's obvious Simon. Criminalisation of smokers has started. Quit or face prosecution/prison. I've been telling you for ages.
Like the blanket smoking ban began in Ireland, so will jailing of smokers who won't quit before being "rolled out" across the rest of the UK.
So - are we going to sit back and let this happen? What representations has FOREST made and to whom to ensure this is not the plan?
I'd be surprised if it's as draconian as that, Pat.
Far more likely they'll want to know why the police aren't doing more to curb ciggie smuggling 'cos it's making them look so f-ing stupid. It'd also force folks back onto the taxable stuff and wipe out the Laffer curve that Chris Snowdon reported (and, incidentally, makes them look f-ing stupid).
"I'd be surprised if it's as draconian as that, Pat."
Yep - I remember people saying that in the late 80s and 90s when I said we would head towards a ban in public - and that dropping a biodegradable cig end would lead to fines - and in the 00s when I said that parents who smoke would one day have their children taken. They already do that with those they can bully like foster parents and those looking to adopt. Remember the couple refused the chance to give a loving home to children because the father enjoys TWO cigars a year!
We really cannot afford to be complacent. Draconian is what they do and then call it "normal."
I think this needs to be nipped in the bud - why wait til it happens - and it will if not now then within five years I am sure. Let's get ahead of this for a change instead of always fighting from behind when by then it's too late.
I don't disagree in the long term, Pat. My point is that it's probablly not why they're in Ireland at the moment.
For what it's worth, I'm gearing up for civil disobedience as I think it's the only way to bring this into the public conciousness without a massive budget and PR machine.