€3000 fine for pub with stuffy smoking room

A PUB in Cork has been given the maximum fine for allowing patrons to smoke in a substandard smoking room.

Gary Hyde, owner of The Castle Tavern, Riverstown, was fined €3,000 at Cork District Court and ordered to pay the Health Service Executive costs of €1,000 for a contravention of section 47 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002/2004.

Environmental health officers (EHOs) visited The Castle Tavern on August 27, 2006, and found a number of people smoking cigarettes in the enclosed smoking area of the premises.

They said the room being used was almost entirely enclosed with only limited ventilation.

The inspection had been carried out after complaints received concerning patrons smoking in this area.

Tony Christie, principal EHO, said they had been dealing with the pub for a considerable time and the proprietor had been given an opportunity to put the situation right.

“In general, compliance with this public health legislation is high and environmental health officers have worked very closely with businesses in order to build compliance and educate people on the requirements of the legislation,” he said.

“Environmental Health Officers are also continuing their unannounced inspections as part of their routine surveillance work to ensure compliance.”

He said the onus was on the proprietors of these premises to ensure compliance with the law in their establishments.

“These prosecutions reiterate the importance of compliance with the legislation and in particular relating to smoking areas. Smoking is one of the major causes of illness and premature deaths in this country and the Environmental Health Department is committed to protecting the workforce and the public in general from the dangers of passive smoking.”

Last night, Mr Hyde was unavailable for comment. However, a sign had been erected in the pub which said: “Till further notice, please refrain from smoking in the games room extension — the smoking zone is limited to the outdoors.”

Complaints in relation to smoking in the workplace can be made by contacting the Office of Tobacco Control’s compliance line on lo-call 1890 333 100 or the local Environmental Health Office.