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Despite overall decline in smoking, prevalence is rising among Ireland's most vulnerable

Smoking still causes over 4,500 deaths in Ireland each year

THE HSE HAS expressed concern over the widening gap in smoking prevalence across socio-economic groups, despite an overall decline in tobacco use in Ireland.

A new report published today to mark World No Tobacco Day reveals that there is a three-fold difference (11% versus 31%) in smoking between the highest and lowest socio-economic groups.

This gap has widened considerably as prevalence among the highest socio economic group in 2015 has dropped from 16%, while smoking among the lowest socio-economic group rose by 2%.

Dr Paul Kavanagh, HSE Public Health Medicine Specialist said overall the proportion of people who currently smoke reduced from 23% in 2015 to 18% in 2021.

However, smoking still causes over 4,00 deaths in Ireland each year. Each week in Ireland, there are over 80 deaths and almost 900 hospitalisations due to smoking-related harm. Compared to people who do not smoke, people who currently smoke are almost two times more likely to report poor health and long-standing illnesses. 

“People in more deprived areas in Ireland live 4-5 years less than those in more affluent areas,” Dr Kavanagh said.

The causes of and solutions to these health inequalities are multiple and complex; however, smoking is responsible for over half of the health gap across social groups. A key finding in the report prepared to inform a new Tobacco Free Ireland Programme Plan 2022-2025 is that against a backdrop of declining smoking prevalence, the socio-economic gradient in smoking is getting wider.

He said it was concerning to note that there was an increase in smoking prevalence from 17% in 2019 to 18% in 2021 and that smoking has increased in teenagers following a period of “historic decline”.

“Given the scale of harm, it is time to ask if we want to bring the continuing epidemic of smoking-related harm to an end, for once and for all.” Dr Kavanagh said.

“We put this question to the public to involve them in development of the new TFI Programme Plan 2022-2025. Three in four people want a “Tobacco-Free Ireland” for the next generation and see this as achievable. Support was high for decisive action to bring the tobacco epidemic to an end.

And people told us they support the steps needed to ensure that people who smoke are not left behind. New tobacco endgame ideas supported by the public included reducing nicotine content of cigarettes so they are less addictive, extending the scope of legally protected smoke-free spaces, increasing the age below which retail of tobacco products is prohibited, and providing more support to people who currently smoke to help them stop.

The HSE’s new plan outline a number of actions across the health service to tackle the harm caused by smoking. A key focus for the plan, the HSE has said, will be responding to the needs of population groups with higher smoking prevalence so as to reduce health inequalities.

The plan will see the introduction of almost 50 new roles in ‘stop smoking’ services across the country, an investment of approximately €3 million each year, as well as a community-led programme to encourage people to stop smoking.

More information on services to help you stop smoking can be found here

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    Mute Aaron O'Leary
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:13 PM

    Merry Christmas to all the staff at the Journal and all the let’s just say opiniated commenters haha. Wouldnt be the same without the daily arguments. Have a good one guys. Be merry!

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    Mute Patrick Hurley
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:07 PM

    Who are you to tell me to be merry?

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    Mute Ryan Hardy
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:43 PM

    Tosser

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    Mute Dan Harrington
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:16 PM

    Normally I take these things with a pinch of salt, but I would gladly watch Muppets Christmas Carol on repeat in July.

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    Mute Paul Wallace
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:20 PM

    Merry Christmas to all the readers and to the trolls and shinnerbods who keep the rest of us normal people on our toes in the comments section ! We know who you are !

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    Mute Supernova
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:34 PM

    Merry Christmas to all the teenyboppers with multiple fake accounts who have nothing better to be doing than constantly talking about sinn féin and saying the same stuff over and over. Yous know who ye are. Merry Christmas all!

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    Mute Ger Comings
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:39 PM

    SFIRA?

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    Mute Rosie Gluten
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:45 PM

    Ger-m8!

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    Mute Gareth
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:58 PM

    Merry Christmas to all the west brits who write on the journal

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:07 PM

    DieHard..yippeee kayaaa..mother superior….etc

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    Mute Get Lost Eircodes
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:06 PM

    Roses are muck, time for Cadburys to cull them!!!

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    Mute Rasputin
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:19 PM

    They were probably always muck but we never knew better however it’s traditional to eat a few…. boxes..

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    Mute D H
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    Dec 25th 2015, 5:47 PM

    Its cadburys thats muck…changing the recipe to a successful product to save money sucks

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    Mute Supernova
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:08 PM

    Whoever eats the bounty style sweets should be shot!

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    Mute Ryan Hardy
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:42 PM

    Hung!

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    Mute Patrick Hurley
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:07 PM

    Miracle on 34th street. Sound.

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    Mute Matt Donovan
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:28 PM

    Am gutted that Raiders of the lost ark isn’t on. It’s not Christmas without it.

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    Mute John Ward
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:17 PM

    Merry Mythmas!

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    Mute SCO Electrical
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:15 PM

    Happily watch National Lampoons!! Actually think I will. Bad Santa last night!

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    Mute Meehawwl O'Buachailla
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:57 PM

    Elf! Result!

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    Mute Gareth Stewart
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:46 PM

    ”Song of the Sea, because it’s lovely and the rest of the family haven”t seen it.. Merry Christmas everyone. Drive safe.

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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:27 PM

    Gareth that’s a great little movie to watch , a real family one.

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    Mute stephen
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:14 PM

    Schindler’s List, ?

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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:25 PM

    Great movie!

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    Mute Carm(Little Vampire)
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:36 PM

    Muppets Christmas Carol I got. Yep I like the story of Scrooge

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    Mute P. Ennis
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:25 PM

    With very young kids, snow white does the job

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    Mute Ger Comings
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:21 PM

    Now 3pm – who could miss HM the Queen. Even the shinners would find it hard to disagree with her views and sentiments.

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    Mute Supernova
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:35 PM

    I was watching our own queen “panty blisses” summing up of 2015 on tv3. Made for great telly.. Not

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    Mute Patrick Hurley
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    Dec 25th 2015, 3:53 PM

    He’s had his 15 minutes of fame now. Please no more.

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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Dec 25th 2015, 4:27 PM

    Totally agree !

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    Mute Anne O'Hara
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    Dec 25th 2015, 6:28 PM

    2nd poll I’ve done telling me National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is “my” film. I hate it

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    Mute Void bringer
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    Dec 26th 2015, 12:06 AM

    Batteries not included!!

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Dec 26th 2015, 2:30 AM

    You should watch… Muppets Christmas Carol

    Light the lamp, not the rat!

    Never say it, don’t fancy it either…

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Dec 26th 2015, 2:31 AM

    Know too many muppets anyway lol.

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