Dental Health Foundation Supports Time for a Tobacco-Free Ireland
The Dental Health Foundation is proud to support the release of Time for a Tobacco-Free Ireland, a new position paper from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland calling for renewed national ambition and decisive action to end the harm caused by tobacco use.
Tobacco remains one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death in Ireland. From an oral health perspective, smoking and tobacco use significantly increase the risk of oral cancer, gum disease, tooth loss and delayed healing following dental treatment. Reducing tobacco use is one of the most impactful steps we can take to improve both general and oral health outcomes across the population.
The Dental Health Foundation stands with healthcare professionals and public health advocates in supporting a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to achieving a tobacco-free future. The position paper outlines six key actions:
Introduce a new national policy that delivers a tobacco-free future
Ireland must renew and strengthen its national strategy with clear targets, timelines and accountability mechanisms.Commit to a tobacco-free generation
Protecting the next generation from nicotine addiction is essential to breaking the cycle of harm.Reduce the addictiveness, attractiveness, affordability, and availability of tobacco products
Strong regulation, pricing measures and marketing restrictions are critical to reducing uptake and supporting cessation.Stop tobacco industry interference and hold them accountable
Public health policy must remain free from industry influence, with robust measures to ensure transparency and accountability.Protect children and communities from tobacco and nicotine products
This includes addressing emerging nicotine products and ensuring communities are safeguarded from exposure and targeting.Ensure everyone who wants to quit gets the right support
Accessible, evidence-based cessation services must be available to all who wish to stop using tobacco.
The Dental Health Foundation believes that meaningful progress in tobacco control will lead to measurable improvements in oral health, reduced health inequalities, and better outcomes for communities across Ireland.
We encourage policymakers, healthcare professionals and the public to engage with the full position paper and support the call for decisive action.
Read Time for a Tobacco-Free Ireland here:
https://www.rcpi.ie/Healthcare-Leadership/Policy-and-Advocacy/Current-Initiatives/Tobacco-Free-Future