2021-12-15-世界卫生组织-Tobacco_Ireland_2021_country_profile_10页_335kb

Country Profile Summary: Ireland

Core Content Overview

Ireland's tobacco control profile is detailed in the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2021, and includes information on the MPOWER measures, which are six key strategies to reduce tobacco use and its health impact. These measures include Monitoring, Smoke-Free Environments, Cessation Programmes, Health Warnings, Mass Media Campaigns, and Advertising Bans. The compliance score for each measure is evaluated on a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the highest level of compliance. The affordability of cigarettes is also assessed, with a focus on how taxation affects their cost relative to the country's GDP per capita.

MPOWER Measures and Compliance

• Smoke-Free Environments: Ireland has complete smoke-free laws in most public places, with a compliance score of 10. Smoking is not allowed in health-care facilities, educational facilities (except universities), government facilities, indoor offices, restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, and public transport. However, all other public places are not completely smoke-free. Compliance is ensured through fines for violations, but enforcement funds are not dedicated.
• Health Warnings: Health warnings are legally mandated on all tobacco packages, with a compliance score of 10. Cigarettes have 65% of the principal display area covered by warnings, while other smoked tobacco products have 65% and smokeless tobacco products have 32%. Warnings are in the principal language(s), include photographs, and are not obscured. The law does not explicitly state that warnings do not remove or diminish the liability of the tobacco industry.
• Advertising Bans: Ireland has a compliance score of 10 for direct advertising bans and 9 for indirect advertising bans. Direct advertising is banned on national TV and radio, local and international magazines and newspapers, and at point of sale. Fines are required for violations. However, there is no complete ban on internet sales or tobacco vending machines. There is no ban on the display of tobacco products in TV and films, and no complete ban on sponsorship.

Tobacco Use Prevalence

• Nationally representative surveys of adults (Healthy Ireland Survey, 2019): Data are recent, representative, and periodic.
• Nationally representative surveys of adolescents (ESPAD, 2019): Data are recent, representative, and periodic.
• WHO age-standardized estimated prevalence of smoking among those aged 15 years or more in 2019:
  • Male: 23.3% (current), 19.2% (daily)
  • Female: 19.9% (current), 16.1% (daily)
  • Both sexes: 21.6% (current), 17.7% (daily)

Cessation Programmes

• A toll-free quit line is available in Ireland.
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is legally sold in general stores and is partially covered by health insurance.
• Bupropion and Varenicline are available via pharmacies with a prescription and are partially covered by health insurance.
• Smoking cessation support is available in some health clinics, hospitals, and community settings. Coverage of this support varies, with full coverage in health clinics, hospitals, and offices of health professionals, and partial coverage in the community.

Tobacco Taxation and Affordability

• Taxation Policy: Ireland has a mixed excise regime, with greater reliance on specific taxes. The total taxes on the most sold brand of cigarettes account for 78.87% of the retail price.
• Cigarette Prices (as of 31 July 2020):
  • Lowest cost brand: EUR 11.10 (tax inclusive)
  • Premium brand: EUR 13.60 (tax inclusive)
• Affordability: Cigarettes are less affordable in 2020 compared to 2018. However, there is no trend change in affordability since 2010.

Additional Information

• WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: Ireland signed on 16 September 2003 and ratified it on 7 November 2005.
• National Tobacco Control Programme: As of 31 December 2020, there is a national agency for tobacco control with 5 full-time equivalent staff. Government expenditures on tobacco control are not reported.
• Subnational Laws: All subnational jurisdictions are covered by national legislation for smoke-free environments and tobacco advertising bans.
• Earmarked Taxes: Tobacco excise receipts are paid over to the Minister for Health annually.

Summary of MPOWER Score Colour Key

Ireland has implemented comprehensive measures to reduce tobacco use and its health impact, particularly in the areas of smoke-free environments, health warnings, and advertising bans. The country also has a robust taxation policy that has contributed to the less affordability of cigarettes, which is a key component in reducing consumption.