31 pubs prosecuted for smoking ban breaches

Thirty-one pubs, three cabbies and one bus driver were prosecuted for breaking the smoking ban last year, it emerged today.

The Office of Tobacco Control’s annual report, launched on the third anniversary of the law, showed 95% compliance in the workplace.

A total of 32,012 inspections were carried out by Environmental Health Officers and 35 cases were prosecuted under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts.

Three cases were taken against members of the public and four were taken in relation to outdoor smoking shelters.

A total of 922 calls were received by the lo-call smoke-free compliance line.

Minister of State, Sean Power said the whole island will become smoke-free when Northern Ireland introduces the law at the end of April.

“The smoke-free workplace legislation is now well embedded and those of us involved in tobacco control have been turning our attention to tackling the issue of children and smoking.

“Data shows that 16% of children aged between 12 to 17 years smoke and 78% of smokers say they began the habit before they reached 18 years of age.”

The junior minister said the Government announced a 50 cent increase in the price of 20 cigarettes in the December Budget to curb teenagers lighting up.

The sale of ten-packs will also be banned in the Republic on May 31.

OTC chief executive Eamonn Rossi said the removal of illegal point-of-sale tobacco advertising in shops will remain a priority.

OTC chairman Dr Michael Boland warned that approximately 6,000 people die each year in Ireland from a smoking-related disease.

“This does not adequately reflect the full extent of the misery and pain caused by the tobacco epidemic in Irish society.

Smokers have two to three times the risk of heart attack compared to non-smokers. We need to continue to work with our partners to build on significant progress made during 2006 and continue with the delivery of the next phase of creating a tobacco free society,“ he added.