Martin’s smoking ban is visionary and timely

ON behalf of the Irish Health Services Management Institute (the professional body for healthcare managers in Ireland), I wish to commend the Minister of Health and Children, Micheál Martin, on his initiative on the prohibition of smoking in the workplace.

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a proven carcinogen, causes heart disease and lung cancer and is a major cause of premature death in Ireland. Children and babies who are exposed to ETS are at an increased risk of respiratory diseases and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

The protection of employees from exposure to ETS in the workplace is a positive, visionary and timely measure which will help to reduce the incidence of these diseases.

This legislation has the support of the vast majority of Irish people, smokers and non-smokers alike, and it is the only effective way to control ETS exposure in the workplace. The health benefits of this measure are indisputable.

Gerard O’Dwyer,

President,

Irish Health Services Management Institute,

2-4 Hume Street,

Dublin 2.