The percentage of school-aged children smoking in Ireland has almost halved since 1998 and the likelihood is that the country will be effectively smoke-free by 2025.
Figures highlighted by the Irish Cancer Society yesterday show that little more than one in 10 young people in Ireland now smoke.
According to a Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey, more than one fifth of young people (21.2%) were considered as ‘current smokers’ in 1998, compared to 11.9% in 2010.
These figures were celebrated at the Irish Cancer Society’s X-Hale Film Festival in the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield, Dublin, yesterday, which was attended by hundreds of young people from across the country. In total, 43 youth groups from all over Ireland showcased their films at the festival and all explored the issue of smoking.
Overall, a significant decline was also seen between 2002 and 2010 in the percentage of young people who reported having their first cigarette at age 13 or younger. This fell from 60.2% trying their first cigarette at aged 13 or younger in 2002 to 48.9% in 2010. The figures show that Ireland is on track to become tobacco-free, in line with the Government’s Tobacco-Free Ireland policy to have less than 5% of the population smoking by 2025.
The films showcased at the festival highlighted the harmful effects of smoking. Respiratory problems, reduced physical fitness, displeasing aesthetical effects and financial implications were all explored on the big screen as the entrants looked to encourage other young people who may be smoking to quit and to discourage others not to start.
Source: Dan Buckley, Irish Examiner, 02/07/14
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