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Smoke ban set for Jan. 26

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

The smoke-free law will apply to all enclosed places of work other than a private dwelling.
There are no exemptions in the regulations but they acknowledge the unique circumstances in prisons and places of detention.
“Consultation is ongoing between the relevant agencies with a view to devising a separate measure to reflect these circumstances,” a department statement said.
It had originally been expected smoking would be outlawed from Jan. 1.
The minister said the ban was to protect the health of workers in the hospitality industry from the ill-effects of environmental tobacco smoke.
The regulations say the ban effects places of work, aircraft, trains, ships or any vehicle that carries members of the public.
It also outlaws smoking in premises licensed to sell alcohol and registered clubs, in so far as they are places of work.
Martin said he believed the move would bring “bring significant public health benefits to present and future generations.”
“The primary purpose in introducing this important new health measure is to allow people to work and socialize in clean healthy smoke free environments,” the minister said. “No one can be in any doubt that exposure to and inhalation of environmental tobacco smoke is a cause of cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease.”
While the ban has been welcomed by health groups, medical organizations and trade unions, a number of TDs and government ministers have expressed reservations.
It is also being strongly opposed by publicans and representatives of the hospitality industry who claim it will be unenforceable and could lead to major job losses.
A national implementation committee has been established involving the Office of Tobacco Control, the Health and Safety Authority, environmental health officers, local health board representatives and the department.

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