Gerard Murphy
Question:555 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Health and Children the nature of the regulations governing the smoking ban in community hospitals with particular reference to long stay patients. [11483/04]
View answerTuesday, 27 April 2004
Questions (497)
Written answers
The smoke-free workplaces measures apply, with limited exceptions, to all enclosed places of work. The exemptions are specified in the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004. Where a community hospital meets the requirements so specified an exemption will apply. A decision to allow the smoking of tobacco products in exempted premises is a matter for the management of the premises concerned. However, the fact that a premises is exempted does not confer a right to smoke in that location and neither does it affect the duty of care an employer has in respect of his or her employees.