Brian O'Shea
Question:180 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which it is intended to monitor and enforce the planned ban on smoking in all licensed premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3414/03]
Written Answers. - Smoking Ban.
A prohibition on smoking in all places of work, including licensed premises, is being introduced from 1 January 2004. This prohibition is based on recommendations contained in the "Report on the Health Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke, ETS, in the Workplace" prepared by an independent scientific working group commissioned by the Office of Tobacco Control and the Health and Safety Authority which was published on 30 January 2003.
The primary purpose of the prohibition is to protect the health and safety of workers and the public from toxic environmental tobacco smoke. The owner, occupier or person in charge of a licensed premises is legally responsible for ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements as well as a range of other legislation relating, for example, to fire safety, food hygiene and the control of the sale of alcohol and tobacco products to underage persons.
I expect that the vast majority of customers will comply with the new health and safety measures when introduced. Monitoring of the levels of compliance can be carried out by authorised officers from the Health and Safety Authority, the Office of Tobacco Control and the health boards.