Smoking ban compliance at all time-high of 97%
The compliance rate has never fallen below 94%, with latest figures showing its highest level was reached in 2008.
Former health minister Micheál Martin led the way internationally when he banned smoking in the workplace on March 29, 2004.
Chief executive of the Office of Tobacco Control Éamonn Rossi said implementation of the legislation had been highly successful and showed strong public support for measures to protect people from the serious ill effects of smoking.
Mr Rossi said there were more than 150 convictions for breaches of the legislation since the ban was introduced. Most of the offenders were publicans who had fines of up to e3,000 imposed.
A number of hotels, taxi companies and food outlets were also successfully prosecuted.
“We are pleased with how workplaces and the public have supported the measure,” he said. “The introduction of the legislation can without doubt be called a success and we must now carry that success forward and continue to be a world leader in tobacco control.”
General secretary of Mandate Trade Union, that represents bar and retail workers, John Douglas, also commended the health measure as a success and said it continued to receive strong support from the trade union and its members.
“Bar workers have now had five years of working in an environment that is tobacco free. The success of smoke-free workplaces provides an excellent example of how unions can play a social role in supporting the health and welfare of its members,” he said.
Mr Rossi said further measures were needed to protect children by discouraging them from taking up smoking and, to support this aim, point of sale advertising of tobacco products in retail premises is due to be removed from July.
There will be a ban on branding backdrops in shops and change mats on counters. Tobacco products cannot be displayed.
There will be tighter controls on the location and operation of tobacco vending machines and the introduction of a register of retails outlets who are licensed to sell tobacco.
The National Youth Council of Ireland is encouraging retailers to prepare for the July 1 deadline.
Council director Mary Cunningham said the measure would play a crucial role in reducing the number of young people taking up smoking.
“More than three-quarters of all smokers in Ireland start to smoke before they reach the age of 18. The advertising and display of tobacco products in a familiar place — the local shop used by young people several times a week — seeks to make cigarettes part of children’s normal social environment.”
Ms Cunningham said 80% of child smokers smoke just two brands — the brands that happen to be the two most marketed through the use of in-store displays.
