Áine Brady, Minister for Older People and Health Promotion, has announced the publication of a report on tobacco use in Ireland, prepared by the Division of Population Health Sciences at RCSI.

The report, entitled 'Smoking Patterns in Ireland: Implications for policy and services' is a further analysis of the data from SLÁN 07 (National Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition).

Almost half of all respondents had smoked cigarettes at some point in their lives and 29% reported being current smokers. Smoking was more common among younger adults. 

"The findings in this Report demonstrate the scale of the challenge presented by tobacco use in Ireland. Smoking is responsible for over 6,500 deaths each year and it is of great concern that 35% of those aged 18-29 continue to smoke," said Minister Brady.

There are opportunities for targeting smoking cessation interventions according to Professor Ruairí Brugha, Head of Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine at RCSI. "The 23% of men and 16% of women in Ireland who have quit smoking mean that a lot of future disease and death has been averted. Almost three quarters (72%) of smokers had attended a GP in the previous year, while only 38% of smokers reported that a 'doctor or health professional' had discussed ways of giving up smoking with them. It is important that health service providers are supported to use every opportunity to encourage people to stop smoking," Professor Brugha said.