Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I move:

"That Seanad Éireann:

—notes the role of cigarettes as one of this country's greatest killers and that heart disease, cancer and any number of other illnesses can be directly traced to cigarettes,

—accepts that smoking is the single most preventable cause of cancer and that medical statistics show smoking is responsible for up to 30% of all cancers and also that up to 90% of lung cancers are caused by smoking,

—acknowledges the damaging effects of tobacco and second-hand smoke and that the World Health Organisation has listed Environmental Tobacco Smoke as a carcinogenic substance with no safe level of ETS,

—maintains that the basic human suffering caused by passive smoking is immense, as is the pressure smoking places on the health system,

—believes that the Government is duty-bound to do everything in its power to tackle smoking related illness,

—commends the Minister for Health and Children on the introduction of the ban on the smoking of tobacco products in the workplace as the most pro-active health measure undertaken in this country in recent times,

—supports the primary purpose of the prohibition which is to afford protection to workers and the public who are exposed to harmful environmental tobacco smoke,

—recognises the health benefits of this measure and that the legislation has been introduced in the interests of health and in the interests of the Irish people,

—notes that the prohibition is based on the result of unequivocal expert advice which states that the best way to protect workers from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke is through legislative measures, and

—is confident that this measure will provide a health legacy, not just for current but also for future generations, and will ensure that workplaces are a clean, safe environment, free of tobacco smoke, and that this will make a significant contribution to the health and quality of life of our population."

I congratulate the Minister on his unrelenting, focused and admirable commitment to enforcing the ban on smoking in the workplace. It was not easy to implement. There were many nay-sayers denying that he could or would do it. One can only admire his determination to ensure that the thousands of people who are affected by passive smoking every year are protected in the workplace. The date, 29 March 2004 is significant and will go down in the history books. It was an opportune time to introduce this proactive legislation in the interest of promoting health especially when we hold the Presidency of the EU and the Minister as chairman of the Council of Health Ministers has given a lead in introducing this ban.

The ban on smoking in the workplace will not only affect the health of non-smokers but will also have a great effect on smokers. There are many who, as a result of this ban, have made a real, and hopefully lifelong, commitment to giving up smoking. Almost every smoker I know has not had a cigarette since Sunday night and has told me this is the best opportunity he or she will ever have to give up smoking for once and for all. I know it is a difficult habit to break because I was a heavy smoker. When I played cards socially I would smoke four large packets in the course of a game but I am pleased to have been off tobacco for many years. One very well known international leader who was a heavy smoker and also hooked on heroin was able to give up heroin but could never manage to give up tobacco. This indicates the addictive nature of the substance. Most people fail in their attempt to quit on a Friday night in the pub when they have a pint in one hand and feel the need for a cigarette in the other. The fact that this temptation will no longer exist will be instrumental in assisting those who truly want to kick the habit.

It is indisputable that the ban on smoking in the workplace will save thousands of lives. Despite recent falls in the numbers of smokers, Ireland still has a high number compared to other countries. A worryingly high percentage of women smoke. I was disappointed to read recently that the Republic of Ireland, at 31%, occupied joint third position with Germany in a league table of the percentage of women who smoke in different countries. None of us would aspire to that place on the table, but we are there and it is nothing to boast about.

Smoking starts young for both sexes and tobacco addiction begins in adolescence for 80% of Irish smokers. A Midland Health Board survey indicated that a large number of young people in secondary schools smoke on a regular basis, which is disappointing. Surveys show that more than two thirds of all children here experiment with tobacco before they reach adulthood. It is worrying that approximately 30% of Irish people over the age of 15 years smoke. I believe that we will see a dramatic drop in these figures as a result of the smoking ban and I am optimistic that the next generation will have a totally different view of smoking thanks to the ban.

Some people however, are still trying to fight the ban on economic grounds. What a farce. Some of them will attempt not to adhere to it. We must make it perfectly clear that these people are putting lives at risk. They are acting from self interest rather than in the interest of the common good. We must act together to make the ban work and must not allow those who refuse to stub out to get away with it. These people pollute our air and break the law. Most people are law abiding and responsible and the vast majority of employers, employees and the public will respect the new measure.

I worked in a profession for many years where the people in my care, psychiatric patients, were particularly attached to the consumption of tobacco. The effects of smoking over the years provided a depressing view of those people. Many statements have been made in the Chamber pertaining to the health services and the need for new facilities. Many health facilities could be closed or would never be needed if tobacco was no longer consumed. Experts have said that we could close up to 50% of our facilities in that event, which clearly indicates the adverse impact of tobacco consumption on health services and the taxpayer. It is in everybody's interest that the ban is implemented effectively.

I commend all in the licensed trade who have adopted co-operative and responsible positions as far as the ban is concerned. Their positive response to the ban will be instrumental in making it work and will save lives in the future. Persistent smoking is of itself a death wish and as sure as God made little apples, it is a kind of long-term suicide effort.

Smoking is becoming more anti-social. Many smokers have said to me that they feel embarrassed when lighting up in public. What was once seen as attractive and social is more and more being seen for what it is — dirty smelly antisocial behaviour which causes illness and can kill. The main point is that smoking can kill. It kills approximately 7,000 people every year. People exposed to second-hand smoke are up to 30% more likely to develop cancer and 25% to 30% more likely to develop heart disease. These are facts we cannot ignore.

The World Health Organisation's international agency for research on cancer recently declared, without equivocation, that environmental tobacco smoke is carcinogenic to humans and includes more than 50 known carcinogens. This is frightening when one realises that these are being inhaled for prolonged periods by many non-smokers every day of the week. The bottom line is, if one works in an atmosphere where one is forced to breathe environmental tobacco smoke, one's health is at risk.

We need to ensure this ban is enforced so that nobody in Ireland will be forced to put their health at risk in order to earn a living anymore. Our EU Commissioner, David Byrne, has been inspired by Ireland's progressive stance on this issue and is considering introducing European-wide measures to combat passive smoking among workers. Ireland has shown the way. Let us prove we will continue to show the way. I am pleased that this legislation was supported by all sides of this and the other House.