Vol. 571 No. 3
228 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional officials which will be recruited to implement the proposed ban on smoking; the annual cost of compliance falling on the Office of Tobacco Control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21689/03]
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.
As part of the process of monitoring compliance with health and safety requirements authorised officers from the health boards and Office of Tobacco Control will visit licensed premises as part of their enforcement duties.
229 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason it is necessary to have bans on smoking in the workplace imposed on both public health grounds and by means of amendments to the carcinogens regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21690/03]
The decision to proceed with a ban on smoking in workplaces, following the publication in January last of the report on the health effects of environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace, was made in the context of my responsibilities as Minister for Health and Children and having regard to the provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002. The Health and Safety Authority is a separate statutory body which operates under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: it also responded to this report and is proposing to institute separate statutory measures and this will facilitate enforcement arrangements.
230 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children if litigation against employers will increase due to the Government proposing to designate ETS as a cancer causing agent; the advice he will give to employers should claims be submitted, in particular on a retroactive basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21691/03]
The consensus of informed scientific and medical opinion is that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a carcinogen. Accordingly, any litigation involving exposure to ETS is more likely to be based on this consensus rather than on a decision by the Government to so designate ETS.
231 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason his claim of 7,500 deaths arising from smoking is in excess of his Department's estimates of 5,881; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21692/03]
The figure of 7,500 is the most recent estimate based on direct deaths from smoking plus deaths related to passive smoking.
232 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the scientific and statistical evidence which supports his claim that 890 people die every year from ETS; the way in which this overall figure is broken down between private dwellings, public places and workplaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21693/03]
While estimates in this area vary according to the nature and context of epidemiological studies carried out, there is an overwhelming scientific consensus that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a cause of deaths and of illness. I am satisfied that the measures I am introducing to protect against exposure to environmental tobacco smoke are justifiable and necessary. I do not have information available on the deaths by the particular categories mentioned and it is important to note that an appropriate response on an important public health issue does not depend on the availability of detailed estimates of fatalities in respect of individual locations.
233 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children his estimate of the number of fatalities which will occur in the tourism and hospitality sector in 2003 from the effects of ETS; the scientific basis for his conclusions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21694/03]
I have not formulated any estimate on the lines referred to by the Deputy. From a public health viewpoint even one death caused by exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is regrettable as death and illness from the inhalation of toxic environmental tobacco smoke is entirely preventible. The measures I am taking to protect people from tobacco smoke in the workplace will contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
It is important to note that an appropriate response on an important public health issue does not depend on the generation of detailed estimates of fatalities in respect of individual employment groups.
234 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the savings arising from a reduction in health care costs on full implementation of the proposed smoking ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21695/03]
My primary concern in introducing a ban on the smoking of tobacco in all workplaces is to protect workers and the public from exposure to toxic environmental tobacco smoke which is a cause of disease and ill health. Being able to work and socialise in a clean and healthy environment will have health benefits for all. Clearly, reductions in the incidence of illnesses associated with the inhalation of tobacco smoke will translate into savings in health care costs associated with treating tobacco related illness. It is not possible at this stage to quantify what these savings are likely to be and it is important to note that while savings in health care costs are to be welcomed, the likelihood of such savings being generated was not a factor in my decision.
