A NEW REPORT into the government’s plans to make Ireland ‘smoke free’ by 2025 have shown that about one in five people smoke tobacco every day.

The Annual Report of Tobacco Free Ireland Action Plan has looked at the actions taken that seek to eliminate smoking from society.

As part of the research it recorded that 19% of people smoke daily and 4% smoke occasionally. It therefore records 23% of people as being ‘current smokers’.

The stated goal to make Ireland ‘smoke free’ would in reality bring smoking rates down to under 5% of the adult population.

The report also stated that smoking is directly related to more than 5,600 deaths in Ireland every year.

The report notes a number of actions that have been taken as part of the government’s actions against smoking.

These include the introduction of a €100 fine for people who smoke in a car that is also carrying a child.

The report makes two references to e-cigarettes. One relates to the regulation of the sale of vaping products and the other relates to advertising codes that govern the poducts.

Reacting to the report, Health Minister Simon Harris said that progress has been made.

“I know that many many people wish they had never started smoking and want to stop, for themselves and for their families. That is why we must continue to prioritise and enhance the supports and encouragement people need to quit smoking once and for all,” he said.

Read: ‘If you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, you inhale a mugful of tar each year’ >

Read: Almost 6,000 people in Ireland died from the effects of smoking in 2016 >