All 192 member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) voted yesterday for a treaty that will impose restrictions on the advertising, marketing and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products. It marks a major development in global co-operation on the promotion of public health and, in the long run, the treaty could save millions of lives.
The WHO has estimated that almost five million people die each year from smoking-related illnesses and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is the first international agreement that commits governments to dealing with such public health issues.
Here at home, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, has announced his intention to ban the use of tobacco in restaurants and pubs from January 1st next. And, in Brussels, the Commissioner for Health, Mr David Byrne, is active in promoting Community-wide anti-smoking measures.
Such developments are to be welcomed. The economic and health costs imposed on society through the avaricious and unscrupulous behaviour of the tobacco industry have been accepted for far too long. An estimated 7,000 Irish citizens die every year as a result of tobacco use. Thousands are physically incapacitated. And, in winter, our health services are overwhelmed.
Multinational companies have specifically targeted young people in glossy advertising campaigns. In the words of Commissioner Byrne, young people are seen as "expendable profit-fodder by the tobacco industry". Elements of that approach also inform the promotion of alcohol. Both substances cause great damage to society and to individuals when abused.
In recent years, publicans resisted all attempts by Government to regulate smoking on their premises on the grounds that such laws would be "unworkable, unrealistic and unenforceable". But, when the Minister finally decided to tackle the problem and announced the introduction of a total ban from next year, they shifted ground. Their recent campaign for limited restrictions quoted a United States report which suggested that passive smoking might not be as harmful as previously thought. It has since transpired that the report was commissioned by the tobacco industry. And the British Medical Association described its findings as "flawed".
In pubs, the consumption of alcohol and tobacco products would appear to be mutually reinforcing. That may account for the fierce resistance by publicans to Mr Martin's proposals. The Government must, however, confront these powerful vested interests and ensure the protection of public health. The WHO decision should stiffen its resolve.