Vol. 558 No. 4
304 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals for the banning of smoking in pubs when food is being served; if he has carried out a review of the impact this ban will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24548/02]
309 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children when he intends to introduce the promised legislation to ban smoking in pubs and restaurants when food is being served; the main features of the proposed regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24569/02]
324 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children further to correspondence received from the Licensed Vintners' Association (details supplied), his views on the points raised in the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24685/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 304, 309 and 324 together.
Section 47 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act, 2002, empowers the Minister for Health and Children to prohibit or restrict the smoking of tobacco products in many public places, including licensed premises. It is my intention to introduce new regulations in this area as soon as possible but at this stage I cannot give an exact date.
With regard to licensed premises, current regulations only ban smoking in food preparation areas. Many pubs now provide a wide range of food services and there is a growing demand from the public for smoke-free areas in pubs and the licensed trade is aware of this. Surveys have shown that there is public support for extending controls on environmental tobacco smoke.
A small number of pubs have introduced dedicated non-smoking areas on a voluntary basis. While this is welcome, I have made it clear to representatives of the licensed trade when meeting with them that much more needs to be done to afford the necessary level of protection for the public and staff from the harmful effects of environmental tobacco smoke. The draft regulations being prepared in my Department will include environmental controls on smoking in pubs and in restaurants.
This is the first time public access areas in pubs are being regulated with regard to providing protection from toxic environmental tobacco smoke. The proposed regulations will provide for a ban on smoking in licensed premises when food is being served and dedicated non-smoking areas comprising 30% of the floor space at all other times. To provide improved protection for staff a ban on smoking at the bar counter in licensed premises will be included.
