Brendan Howlin
Question:52 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Labour if he has any plans to amend the Factories Acts or the Office Premises Act to take account of new regulations on smoking; and if he will make a statment on the matter.
Written Answers. - Regulations on Smoking.
In seeking to prevent occupational accidents and diseases, the primary focus of my role as Minister for Labour is directed towards limiting exposures to toxic substances and to risks from physical hazards at the workplace. There are various provisions under current occupational safety and health laws aimed at protecting workers where smoking and other hazards would place them at risk in specific working activities.
However, it must be recognised that workers share equally with the wider population the risks from lifestyle diseases. The adverse effect of smoking is a general public health issue and I welcome the measures taken by my colleague, the Minister for Health, in that regard. I believe that employers, in co-operation with their workers, can contribute much in helping to reduce the overall levels of lifestyle diseases such as smoking related cancer. I know that several companies have health educational programmes in operation and I would encourage others to consider the promotion of similar voluntary schemes. I will maintain contact with the Minister for Health on the development of his general health programme on smoking.
I do not have immediate plans to amend the two statutes referred to by the Deputy. However, the new National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health will have the task over the coming years of reviewing and putting forward proposals for updating existing occupations safety and health legislation including the two statutes mentioned.