Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:65 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to introduce a no-smoking policy in all health boards. [7722/96]
Written Answers. - Prohibition on Smoking.
Smoking is prohibited by law in the public offices, meeting rooms and other areas to which the public has access, e.g. corridors, in all buildings owned or occupied by the State or State bodies, including health boards. It is also prohibited in hospitals, other than psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities such as residential and day care centres, except that specific facilities may be provided where staff or patients may smoke.
As regards health board staff, the Deputy will be pleased to learn that there is a no-smoking policy either in place or being developed in each of the health boards. These policies recognise the right of every member of staff, every service user and every visitor to a smoke-free environment in all health board facilities.