Ivan Yates
Question:268 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health and Children whether people are prohibited from smoking in health board property such as public areas; and the current regulations in this regard. [14376/97]
Written Answers - Smoking Regulations.
The Tobacco (Health Promotion and Protection) Regulations, 1995 prohibit smoking in hospitals, nursing homes, maternity homes, child care centres, long-stay geriatric homes, centres for the mentally handicapped and centres for the physically handicapped. Specific facilities may be provided for staff and patients to smoke. Smoking is prohibited in health premises, other than those listed above, which provide health services to the public including health centres and retail pharmacies save that specific facilities may be provided for staff to smoke. In psychiatric hospitals a designated non-smoking area must be provided. Smoking is also prohibited in the waiting rooms of doctors' and dentists' practices.