Ban will make Ireland healthier, says Minister

The smoking ban which came into force today will have a huge impact on the health and lives of thousands nationwide, Health Minister Micheál Martin said.

As Ireland became the first nation in the world to ban smoking in the workplace, he said today he was confident he had made the right decision and it would have long-term positive benefits.

The Minister, speaking at a breakfast meeting hosted by anti-smoking group ASH Ireland in central Dublin, said he felt a degree of relief that midnight had passed and that work could begin on maximising compliance of the ban.

He said: “Many people have been coming up to me in the street urging me to go ahead with this initiative and not to back down.

“They can’t wait for it to be implemented. It is ultimately for the benefit of people’s health.”

Mr Martin said he understood the deep anxiety expressed by many publicans about a loss of business, but he said there was no research to suggest the new law would have a negative impact on the hospitality trade.

Professor Luke Clancy, chairman of ASH Ireland, said Irish and international customers could now enjoy visiting pubs and restaurants without breathing in cancer-causing chemicals.

He said: “The introduction of the workplace smoking legislation is groundbreaking in terms of its contribution to the health of the nation.

“Workers around the country – 78% of whom do not smoke – can enjoy a smoke-free and a much safer workplace.”

The Irish Cancer Society said because 34% of all smokers were aged between 18-34, the ban in pubs and clubs would be the most contentious.

Chief executive John McCormack said: “The introduction of the ban in these workplaces is a vital preventative measure for young people starting to smoke, in addition, of course, to providing protection for employees.”

Prison cells, psychiatric hospitals and nursing homes are exempt from the ban, but all workplaces – including film sets, company cars and cafés – became smoke-free today.

A complaints hotline has been set up by the Office for Tobacco Control for customers to report anyone they see flouting the law.

Fines of up to €3,000 will be issued to anyone caught smoking illegally by the 340 health inspectors policing the ban.