Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 September 2020
218. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of measures via amending legislation or statutory instrument to ban smoking in outdoor areas including in locations food is consumed; the person or body that would be responsible for the implementation and enforcement of such a measure; the location the jurisdiction of same lies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24681/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn April 2018 the Government agreed to support a Seanad Private Members’ Motion to legislate for the introduction of a smoking ban in areas where food is consumed, including in outdoor areas, and to address this measure on completion of the current tobacco control legislative programme.
The current tobacco control legislation project is the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill. The Government approved the drafting of the Bill in October 2019. The Bill will introduce a licensing system for the sale of tobacco and nicotine inhaling products, prohibit the sale of tobacco products at events and locations primarily intended for children and prohibit the sale of nicotine inhaling products to children.
The promotion of tobacco free environments through the use of voluntary measures or by the introduction of bye-laws is a key component of Tobacco Free Ireland - Ireland’s national tobacco control policy. Initiatives creating tobacco free environments in healthcare settings, sporting facilities, playgrounds, educational campuses and in towns and cities have been successfully developed through consultation with stakeholders including local authorities, educational bodies, the HSE and the Department of Health.
The responsibility for enforcement of current tobacco control law rests with the Environmental Health Service of the HSE therefore it is likely that any measure to ban smoking in outdoor areas would be enforced by that body.
