The announcement by the Minister for Finance that the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) has completed the sale of its remaining investments in tobacco manufacturing has been welcomed by Minister of State for Health Promotion, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Ireland. Each year, approximately 6,000 people die as a direct result of diseases caused by tobacco use.
Furthermore, it has been estimated that the expenditure attributable to the effects of smoking in the health care system is in excess of €500m, which includes hospital, primary care and domiciliary care costs to the State.
Ireland has a significant international reputation as a tobacco control leader over the past number of years. The country currently ranked 2nd out of 34 European Countries in relation to tobacco control.
Speaking on the issue, Minister Corcoran Kennedy commented, "I am committed to making Ireland tobacco-free by 2025 and I see this initiative as a further step in the de-normalisation of tobacco use in our society”.
Source: www.businessworld.ie