Vol. 561 No. 1
321 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans in respect of the further banning of smoking in public places; his proposals for consultation in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3176/03]
On 30 January 2003, I launched the report on the health effects of environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace which was commissioned by the Office of Tobacco Control and the Health and Safety Authority. This report advises that current ventilation technologies are inadequate to give workers full protection from the hazards of tobacco smoke and that exposure can best be controlled by banning smoking in places of work. Acting on this advice I published draft regulations to provide for a prohibition on the smoking of tobacco products in all places of work which will come into operation on 1 January 2004. I have met with representatives of the trade union movement concerning these new measures and I will be meeting with representatives of other interested groups with regard to implementation of the proposed regulations over the coming weeks.
