Calls for Britain to follow Ireland’s smoke-free lead

ANTI-SMOKING campaigners yesterday called on the British Government to follow the lead of Ireland by introducing a complete ban on smoking in the workplace.

With smoke-free Ireland now one-year-old, Britain’s ASH directors said it was time for their country to move out of the halfway house of exemptions and adopt a tough line on the killer addiction.

ASH director Deborah Arnott said the Irish experience was one of resounding triumph, a popular law which needed little enforcement.

“The dire predictions of the drinks trade have proved false, but cigarette sales have fallen and public health is improving as a result. This experience shows that bold political moves can be successful and popular.

“In this country, the halfway house of the public health White Paper - with its botched plans to exempt some pubs and private clubs - cannot stand.”

Figures from Euromonitor International showed sales of cigarettes in Ireland fell 8.7% last year when the ban was implemented, after dropping 3.4% in 2003, and 1.2% in 2002.

Gallaher Tobacco, the market leader in Ireland, has reported Irish sales dropped 10.7% from January and October of last year.

ASH said the latest opinion poll carried out by BMRB market researchers showed 78% of the British public supported a smoke-free law covering all workplaces.

“It is past time for the British Government to show similar courage, follow the example of Ireland and of the Scottish Executive, and bring smoke-free workplaces and public places to Britain.

“Ireland deserves the applause and support of everyone who wants to cut the terrible damage done by smoking and to improve public health,” she said.

ASH said public support for a ban on smoking at work in Britain is greater than support had been for a smoke-free law in Ireland before the law was passed.

In a recent survey, the vast majority of Irish smokers believed the smoking ban was a good idea.

Twelve months since the smoke-free law began, 80% of smokers think it was the right thing to do. Research found 96% of people believed the law was successful.

The tns/mrbi survey found 98% of people felt workplaces were healthier since the ban started, including 94% of smokers.

It showed compliance levels with the ban were high in all sectors, with 93% compliance in hotels, 99% in restaurants and 90% in licensed premises.