The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Micheál Martin, today signed the Public Health (Tobacco) Act, 2002, establishing the Office of Tobacco Control on a statutory basis.
This comes into effect on May 31st, the World Health Organisation's annual World No Tobacco Day.
"The establishment of the Office of Tobacco Control on a statutory basis is another milestone in our battle against the worldwide tobacco epidemic," Mr Martin said.
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Minister for Health Mr Michael Martin who today signed the Public Health (Tobacco) Act.
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The Office of Tobacco Control initially was established on an administrative basis in 2000 and is currently located in Clane, Co Kildare.
The general function of the Office will be to promote a tobacco free society in accordance with the Government's policy document ‘Towards a Tobacco Free Society’.
It will advise and assist the Minister on tobacco control measures and will monitor and co-ordinate the implementation of such measures.
Mr Martin said the Act allows the Office to appoint authorised officers with a range of powers to enforce tobacco control legislation.
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"To date the Office has organised international conferences on tobacco control legislation and environmental tobacco smoke and has commissioned a major public attitudes survey on smoking controls.
"I am confident that the Office will continue to play an important role in our challenging task of creating a tobacco free society," the Minister said.
The Office of Tobacco Control will consist of a chairperson and 11 other members and will have a chief executive officer and staff.
