At the World Conference on Tobacco Control, RCPI calls for action
As Ireland welcomes the international public health community to the World Conference on Tobacco Control 2025, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) calls on political leaders to urgently recommit to the nation’s Tobacco Free Ireland goals.
Despite being a pioneer in global tobacco control, Ireland is falling short of its 2025 target to reduce smoking prevalence to below 5%. Today, smoking still claims nearly 100 lives and causes over 1,000 hospitalisations every week across the country.
Dr Paul Kavanagh, Chair of the RCPI Clinical Advisory Group on Smoking and E-Cigarettes, warns that Ireland remains in the grip of a smoking-related health crisis:
“Ireland has led the way with bold tobacco control measures, but we are still deep in an epidemic of harm. The toll of smoking is visible every day in our hospitals and communities. Through our Clinical Advisory Group, doctors are using their voice to provide leadership toward a Tobacco Free Ireland.”
The RCPI Clinical Advisory Group provides expert clinical guidance to reduce smoking-related harm and has played a critical role in shaping recent public health policies, including the ban on e-cigarette sales to children and young people and the upcoming Tobacco 21 legislation.
Despite this progress Ireland’s smoking prevalence of 17% falls short of the 5% target, and historic declines in smoking have stalled in the last five years.
As global experts gather in Dublin, Dr Kavanagh sees a critical opportunity:
“We welcome the dialogue with international leaders at this pivotal conference. It’s an important moment for Ireland to show renewed leadership and deliver a new roadmap to achieve a Tobacco Free Ireland for the next generation.”
Dr John Gannon, a member of the RCPI Clinical Advisory Group on Smoking and E-Cigarettes, will present the findings of his recently published study at the World Conference.
Published in the European Journal of Public Health, the global study reveals a growing consensus among young people in support of a tobacco-free society, highlighting a generational momentum toward a tobacco-free future.
“The survey found that young people in Ireland and internationally are strongly supportive of tobacco end-game measures,” Dr Gannon says.
“Measures with strong support among respondents include T21 legislation, restricting tobacco sales to a limited number of licensed shops, reducing nicotine content in cigarettes and accountability for tobacco companies footing the bill for health costs from smoking.”
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is committed to working with Government to reduce tobacco-related health dangers and calls on political leaders to reaffirm commitment to deliver a new plan for a Tobacco Free Ireland.