During the period in question, tobacco taxes were raised in Ireland, smoking bans were introduced in bars and other public places, and stricter rules on tobacco advertising were introduced. During the same period, the proportion of smokers among the Irish population fell from 33,4 to 26,1 percent for men and from 31 percent to 25 percent for women.
The researchers used an analytical model to calculate how many people would have smoked and become ill from it without the tobacco prevention measures and compared them with the developments that have taken place. The conclusion was that 1716 fewer people have died thanks to the measures and that their benefits will increase with each passing year. In addition, important new tobacco policy steps were taken in 2011 that will reduce tobacco-related deaths in Ireland even further.
