103 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health the progress, if any, made on the targets set in the Health Strategy Document, Shaping a Healthier Future, for improving life expectancy from heart attacks, cancer and accidents. [2002/97]

Limerick East): There are no Irish statistics available to cover changes in life expectancy since the publication of the health strategy. As outlined in the strategy, it is appropriate that trends in these areas be looked at over an extended timeframe. Considerable progress has been made in developing a framework which will enable an improvement in life expectancy to be achieved.

Following the national health strategy, a comprehensive health promotion strategy was published which looked at the main causes of preventable morbidity and mortality and which specified action plans to help reduce mortality from heart disease, cancer and accidents. A range of health promotion initiatives and programmes targeting risk factors such as smoking, overweight, diet and high blood pressure are in place or planned.

Smoking is a contributory factor to both cancer and heart disease and anti-tobacco initiatives from an important part of the work of my Department's health promotion unit. Initiatives are ongoing with other agencies including the promotion of consensual smoking control policies in the workplace.