Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
553 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the success to date of the implementation of the smoking ban and the advice his Department is giving in relation to the smoking of herbal cigarettes in public houses or other places in which the smoking ban operates. [11468/04]
View answerOn 29 March last, most enclosed places of work became smoke free. The primary purpose of this measure is to protect the health of workers and the public from exposure to toxic environmental tobacco smoke. The response to date across all sectors is very positive with compliance at a very high level. The successful introduction of the new measure reflects the widespread public support and goodwill that exists for a clean smoke-free environment in the workplace. As herbal cigarettes are not classified as tobacco products, their smoking is not prohibited under the smoke-free workplaces measures. A decision to allow the consumption of these products in premises where the smoking of tobacco products is prohibited is a matter for the management of the premises concerned.
