Smoking is estimated to be the cause of about 2,200 deaths among Irish women each year. According to the Tobacco Regulations of 1986, only newspapers and magazines for adults can advertise cigarettes, and their content is controlled. Advertisements cannot contain misleading claims or recommendations, or show persons smoking, and must contain an approved health warning. The amount of money which can be spent on advertising and sponsorship by the tobacco industry is fixed by the Minister for Health in association with the industry. Cigarettes may only be sold to those over 16 years and must be in packets of 10 or more.
Smoking is banned in many public areas and facilities.
Smoking is prohibited in all public buses and in some privately owned transport vehicles, in the seating areas in the arrival and departure halls of airports and harbours and in all trains. In 1996, smoking was also banned in banks, building societies, taxis, bridge clubs and hairdressers. A wide range of initiatives are in place including mass media campaigns, school programmes, smoking cessation programmes, programmes to reduce smoking in the workplace, and provision of information materials for the general public and health professionals. Ireland is an active participant in the Europe Against Cancer programme.