Autumn Seminar: The economics of tobacco control and Irish fiscal policy

Date: Thursday, 19 September 2002
Location: Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2

Opening Address:

• Tim O'Malley, TD
  Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children.

Keynote speaker:

• Professor Frank J. Chaloupka
  Director of the Health Policy Centre and Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Illinois.
  
  Leading international economist in the area of tobacco control – Co-author of the World Bank's policy report: Curbing the Epidemic: Governments and the Economics of Tobacco Control – Consulting Scientific Editor on the recent US Surgeon General's report – Advisor to the World Health Organisation and international bodies.

Chair: 

• Dr Michael Boland
  Chairman, Board of the Office of Tobacco Control.

The keynote presentation focussed on economic interventions and fiscal measures and their impact on tobacco consumption. Presentations introduced new Irish research on the predicted price elasticity of tobacco and current studies on the economics and marketing of tobacco.

The programme also examined tobacco in the Consumer Price Index, the Irish tax system and an international perspective on the illicit trade in tobacco.

Speakers' panel included Dr Richard Layte (ESRI), Damian Loscher (MRBI), Brendan Sheeran (Office of the Revenue Commissioners), Paul J Crowley (Central Statistics Office) and Austin Rowan (European Anti-Fraud Office).