New proposals aimed at making Ireland smoke free in the next 12 years have been announced
The plan by the Department of Health includes measures to ban smoking in many public areas like playgrounds and college campuses
And it aims to cut smoking rates from 22 per cent to five per cent by 2025
On Friday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Head of Advocacy with the Irish Cancer Society Kathleen O’Meara who welcomed the plan
John Mallon – Spokesperson for Forest Eireann, the smokers rights group, criticised the new tobacco policy, attacking plans to denormalise smoking and make Ireland "tobacco-free" by 2025 saying it is morally wrong to denormalise smoking because that means stigmatising consumers of a legal product enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of adults throughout the country.
The official opening of the newly developed O’Regan Park, Playground and Amenity Area in Newmarket on Fergus takes place this Saturday
The O’Regan Park Development Group is a voluntary group in the community, who organised everything from fundraising to cleaning the park, planting trees and clearing the river
Tanya Arthur – Chairperson if the O’Regan Park Development Group – spoke with John and encouraged people to come along to the opening, beginning at 2pm
Siobhan O’Driscoll, Community Development Officer at Obair Newmarket on Fergus, spoke about encouraging people in the community to take greater responsibility for development in the area.
The East Clare Walking Festival weekend beginning today and running until Sunday in Mountshannon
Pat Hayes, Chairman of the festival, joined John for a word and urged people to come along to the walks this weekend
For more details see www.eastclarewalkingfestival.com
In our Morning Focus Health Matters slot we speak with Dr Maire Finn from the Ennis Family Medical Centre
Today Dr Finn spoke about the Flu vaccination and answered listeners’ queries
Doctor Maire Finn is from the Ennis Family Medical Centre, and will be joining us again next Friday for more medical advice
You can always send us your thoughts and queries by email focus@clare.fm, but if you have concerns or queries about your own health right now please contact your local GP
Orla Hogan from Tuamgraney is one of the organisers of this Sunday’s Vintage Road Run in aid of Feileacain (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association) – Orla became aware of the organisation after losing her niece Emily The event on Sunday begins at Hassett’s Bar, Tuamgraney from 12.30pm – please support
For more information about the support service see www.feileacain.ie
Telephone: 085 2496464 or email: info@feileacain.ie
Limerick born singer songwriter Johnny Duhan joined John in studio for a chat and a few tunes
His upcoming show based on his album Just Another Town – due out in November- the show will take place in the Limetree Theatre, Limerick, on the 25 October
Johnny performed his famous songs The Voyage & Don’t Give Up ‘Til It’s Over.
For more information on Johnny’s work see www.johnnyduhan.com
If you have a story for Morning Focus email Focus@clare.fm
