News Releases
Forest news & comment
Calculation that smoking costs society £17bn a year "absurd"
Fri 14th January, 2022
Forest has rejected the claim that smokers cost society £17 billion a year, £5 billion more than previously estimated.
New Year Message plus Review of the Year 2021
Fri 31st December, 2021
"Smokers know all about oppressive regulations so let their experience of the slippery slope and creeping prohibition be a warning to everyone who values individual liberty."
Ireland: Forest condemns plan to consider "draconian" anti-smoking measures
Thu 30th December, 2021
News that the HSE is to 'consider a complete ban on the sale of tobacco and a sharp reduction in the number of outlets allowed to sell tobacco products ... to help eradicate cigarette smoking in Ireland' has been condemned by Forest Ireland.
New Zealand: Plans to ban sale of tobacco to anyone born after 2008 "absurd" and "illiberal"
Thu 9th December, 2021
Plans to ban the sale of tobacco to people born after 2008 in New Zealand have been described as "absurd" and "illiberal" by smokers' rights campaigners.
Banning smoking in outdoor pavement areas would be "insane"
Fri 3rd December, 2021
Forest has welcomed reports that the Cabinet has rejected a plan by health secretary Sajid Javid to ban smoking in pavement areas outside pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Forest welcomes news that Irish government has no plans to limit number of cigarettes in a pack to 20
Thu 11th November, 2021
Minister for Health: "There is currently a dearth of evidence to indicate that a measure preventing the sale of packs of more than 20 cigarettes would impact on consumption or prevalence."
Wales: Forest criticises 'smoke-free 2030' target
Mon 8th November, 2021
“If people choose not to smoke that’s fine but setting a target for a smoke-free Wales is a green light for politicians and campaigners who seem determined to regulate and control people’s lives.”
Forest attacks proposed new tobacco control measures
Wed 20th October, 2021
Forest has criticised a series of amendments tabled by Labour MP Mary Foy, chair of the APPG on Smoking and Health, in response to the Government's Health and Care Bill.
Forest Ireland's response to Budget 2022
Tue 12th October, 2021
"This is yet another attack on a group of consumers, many of whom are low paid workers, after a stressful 18 months during which many may have lost their jobs or been impoverished in other ways."
Ireland: "Stop weaponising tax in war on smokers"
Mon 27th September, 2021
Campaigners have urged the government to "stop weaponising" tax in order to achieve a Smoke Free Ireland by 2025.
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