One-in-seven pubs in breach of smoking ban

ONE-IN-SEVEN pubs inspected by health officials last year were found to be in breach of the smoking ban.

The latest annual report of the Office of Tobacco Control has revealed that only 86% of licensed premises were found to be in compliance with laws governing smoke-free workplaces.

A total of 1,217 pubs were found to be in breach of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts during almost 8,500 inspections last year, although the figure may include some premises which were visited more than once.

The results show a slight worsening of non-compliance levels — up 1% from 13% in 2005.

Pubs also accounted for 31 of 35 criminal prosecutions brought by the OTC against the owners of business premises in 2006.

A total of 34 cases were successfully prosecuted, resulting in 37 convictions. Four other offenders were given the Probation Act.

However, the overall level of compliance with the smoking ban remains relatively high with just 5% of all premises found to be in breach of the legislation.

More than 32,000 inspections were carried out on businesses last year by environmental health officers as part of the national tobacco control programme.

They also revealed that 12% of premises do not have sufficient ‘No Smoking’ signs in place as required by legislation.

Commenting on the results, OTC chief executive Éamonn Rossi expressed satisfaction with general compliance levels.

Mr Rossi claimed many of the breaches of the smoking ban relating to pubs were “relatively minor”.

He pointed out that health officials adopted a “twin-track approach” to offenders by trying to resolve the issue without recourse to criminal prosecutions.

Mr Rossi also expressed confidence that potential fines of up to €3,000 for each offence acted as a sufficient deterrent.

Launching the report, Junior Health Minister Seán Power said an OTC survey which showed that 78% of smokers began smoking before they reached the legal age of 18 for buying ciga-rettes was “very disturbing”.

Research has also shown that 16% of children aged 12-17 are regular smokers.

However, Mr Power said the 50c increase in the cost of cigarettes introduced in the recent Budget and the implementation of a ban on packets of 10 cigarettes from May 31 next will also prove effective in preventing young people from taking up smoking.

A ban on sweets which resemble tobacco products will also be introduced on the same date, while further restrictions are also planned on point-of-sale advertising for cigarettes.