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Smoking Ban

Smoking Ban introduced to Workplaces 

From 29th March, smoking is prohibited in the places of work of the Sligo Local Authorities. The law is being introduced to protect employees and the public from exposure to the effects of tobacco smoke, with most enclosed places of work in Ireland becoming smoke-free.

Background

The Minister for Health and Children announced the measure in January 2003. In April 2003 draft regulations were notified to the European Commission under EU Transparency Directive. No objections were raised by Member States to the regulations, or to two amendments that were added in November 2003.

Health Issues

In framing the new legislation, the Department of Health was guided by a report published by the Health and Safety Authority (HAS) called ‘The Health Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace’. A critical element of the report was the Authority’s acceptance of the World Health Organisation’s designation of ETS - Environmental Tobacco Smoke - as a known carcinogen. The report was prepared by an independent expert scientific group, and among their findings were...

  • Second hand tobacco smoke is a cause of cancer, heart disease and respiratory problems
  • Employees need to be protected from exposure to second-hand smoke at work
  • Current ventilation technology is ineffective at removing the risk to health
  • Legislative measures are required to protect workers from the adverse effects of exposure.

The promotion campaign leading up to March 29th has focused on the health concerns associated with smoking and passive smoking..

  • Passive smoke exposure increases the risk of stroke by 82%
  • Exposure to passive smoking in the workplace increases the risk of lung cancer by up to 40%
  • Exposure to passive smoking in the workplace increases the risk of heart disease
  • A non-smoker living with a smoker has a 25% increased risk of lung cancer and a 30% increased risk of heart disease

Some of the comments from a very random survey of Sligo Local Authorities include

  • ‘Good incentive to give up smoking’
  • ‘Of benefit to everyone most of all smokers, incentive to give up smoking’
  • ‘The new law is an invasion of smokers’ rights’
  • ‘All for it, go outside if you want to smoke’

The phone number for the ‘National Quitline’ is 1850 201 203.

Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council have circulated a policy on smoking in the workplace to staff.

 
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