Vol. 571 No. 1
852 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children the provisions, in relation to the enforcement of the no smoking ban, he has been assured of by the Garda authorities in relation to this measure when it goes ahead in January 2004; and the way in which he views the measure being enforced. [19954/03]
The owner, occupier or person in charge of a workplace is legally responsible for ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements. As part of the process of monitoring compliance with health and safety requirements, including the prohibition on smoking in the workplace, authorised officers from the health boards, the Office of Tobacco Control and the Health and Safety Authority will visit premises as part of their enforcement duties. I expect that the vast majority of employers, employees and the public will comply with the new health and safety measure which is being introduced primarily to protect people from exposure to toxic environmental tobacco smoke. A decision to call the Garda Síochána to a premises for whatever reason is a matter for the person in charge.
853 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children his reasons for introducing the no smoking ban in public houses; and the nature of the experiences internationally in which similar bans have been introduced. [19955/03]
A prohibition on smoking in all places of work, including licensed premises, is being introduced from 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 exposure to toxic environmental tobacco smoke.
Similar prohibitions have been in place in parts of the United States, in particular in California and New York and the experience there has been positive. Clearly being able to work and socialise in an environment free from the harmful effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a welcome development which has positive health benefits for all concerned.
