Change Is In The Air – Conference Opens In Limerick

The event, which is set against the backdrop of the success of the ban on smoking in the workplace in Ireland, is being chaired by Dr. Michael Boland of the Board of the Office of Tobacco Control.

Among the speakers is Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Health and Children, and President of the EU Health Ministers‚ Council. Mindful that tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the European Union, it is widely recognised that the Health Minister has shown himself to be a particularly tough opponent of the tobacco industry.

EU Member States face major challenges in combating what is seen to be a continuing serious public health epidemic.

"Effective comprehensive tobacco control measures and sustained responses are required to curb tobacco-related deaths and illnesses," a spokesperson told Hot Press. "We need to reduce the numbers of people smoking, to protect third parties from second-hand smoke and to improve the health and quality of life of our populations and future generations."

The aim of the conference is to review tobacco control policies in the EU and to facilitate the exchange of views and experiences including research and best practice among European countries in the field of tobacco control. Other speakers include the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Mr. David Byrne, WHO representative Dr.Catherine Le Gales-Camus and Justice Niall Fennelly of the Irish Supreme Court.

The Conference, which closes on Friday 18th. will focus on taking stock of what has een achieved to date in the field of tobacco control and in the context of the enlargement of the EU, will provide an opportunity to focus on the efforts required to implement a strong, integrated tobacco control framework for the 21st Century.