A conference in Dublin has heard that placing shocking pictures displaying the health consequences of smoking on cigarette packets is effective in reducing smoking.
The Minister for Health, Mary Harney, who addressed the conference, said all sides needed to reconsider a possible increase in the price of cigarettes to try to increase public health.
However she also said the Government had concerns that an increase in tax on cigarettes would affect inflation and have an impact on pay demands.
Luk Joossens of the Association of European Cancer Leagues claimed that there had to be a clear message to people about the effects of smoking and that message must be shocking.
Today Mary Harney said 14 graphic images for use on cigarette packets had been selected and legislation to clear their publication would be drafted as soon as possible.
An exhibition of graphic images of the health effects of smoking will begin at the Ilac Centre in central Dublin tomorrow.
Dr Angie Brown, consultant cardiologist and chairperson of the anti-smoking group ASH, called for legislation making it illegal to smoke in any car carrying a child under 16 years of age.
Survey on NI pubs
Meanwhile, air quality in pubs is 93% cleaner a year after the smoking ban was introduced in Northern Ireland, according to a leading environmental health charity.
The charity measured air quality in more than 80 bars across Northern Ireland before and after the introduction of the ban.
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health gave bar workers a questionnaire before and after the ban, and found a 72% reduction in the number who reported symptoms or side effects attributable to tobacco smoke post ban compared to before.
The research showed a 76% increase in bar workers who rated the air quality as good post ban, compared to pre ban, and a 92% increase in those who rated air quality as moderate.
