Vol. 541 No. 4
292 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding his proposals to ban smoking in public places; the places he is considering; and if he will make a statement on discussions he has had with the vintners associations on this issue. [22779/01]
On 1 August 2001 I published the new Public Health (Tobacco) Bill, 2001, to give effect to the proposals in the Government's policy document Towards a Tobacco Free Society. I propose to introduce the Bill in the Dáil at the earliest possible date. I intend using enabling powers under section 46 of the Bill to extend environmental controls on smoking to a range of public areas and public facilities not already covered by existing legislation and regulation, including pubs.
I am particularly concerned over the involuntary exposure of persons to environmental tobacco smoke or passive smoking. Numerous studies have shown that environmental tobacco smoke – ETS – is a cause of acute and chronic diseases in non-smokers. There is no evidence of a safe exposure level. Only 15% of the smoke from cigarettes is inhaled by the smoker and the remainder is released directly into the air. Tobacco smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals of which at least 60 are known carcinogens. Nobody should be involuntarily exposed to the hazards of ETS.
Earlier this year I met representatives of one of the vintners associations and made clear to them the need to provide smokefree areas for customers and staff.
