Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley to the House and I compliment the Minister of State at the same Department, Deputy Brian Lenihan on his statement. I also compliment the Minister for Health and Children on accepting this challenge and taking action on the problem of smoking.

There is a responsibility on the companies which manufacture cigarettes to come forward and help those who want to continue smoking but have difficulties in finding suitable locations to do so. They have made substantial money out of those people in the past and they should now offer convenient locations for smokers in public houses or in other public premises.

I compliment the contributions that have been made this evening. When this legislation was before the House, many people said the Minister would not take on special interest groups, in particular the publican lobby. This issue is not about any lobby group. It is about health and about affording an opportunity to people who do not wish to smoke or be in a premises where others smoke, where there is a danger to their health. The vast majority of people have that point of view. I was a member of a health board and often visited hospitals, and it was an eye-opener to see the many people in hospital, often just gasping for breath. The report on the health and environmental effects of tobacco smoke in the workplace published in 2003 was clear when it stated

second-hand tobacco smoke was the cause of cancer, heart disease and respiratory problems. Employees need to be protected from exposure at work. Current ventilation technology is ineffective at removing the risk to health. Legislative measures are required to protect workers from the adverse effects of exposure.

These four points sum up the real problems.

Much was said about ventilation, particularly by cigarette manufacturers. What money did they put forward to enable publicans and others to finance the cost of proper ventilation? While ventilation systems are in place on many premises, they are not adequate enough to enable people to work or enjoy themselves.

It is time the advertisement of cigarettes and cigarette sales was stopped. Many young girls who smoke are told that to continue smoking is good for their figure. One's health is far more important. I know many people who used to enjoy a drink but who were unable to go to a pub or had to leave early when smokers came in. People who enjoyed a game of cards simply could not go to a hall to have a game because of those who smoked. Action against smoking has been taken in bingo halls and I have been told that as it was successful, it would not be a big problem to have a smoking ban in pubs and in the workplace.

There is now an onus on the Minister to act on passive smoking where people congregate, particularly at matches in enclosed stands. One can go to a game of hurling, football, soccer or rugby and within minutes of taking one's seat, the breeze is blowing cigarette smoke in one's direction. That is not good enough for the ordinary punter who pays to go to a match. He or she has no choice but to move elsewhere, but can only do so if there is a vacant seat.

We must look at the availability of cigarettes to young people. With the changes that are taking place they may view cigarette smoking differently. It is to be hoped they may not take it up.

I commend the motion. It spells out the steps the Minister has taken. However, over the coming weeks non-smokers must understand when someone lights a cigarette without thinking. It is to be hoped a disapproving look will be sufficient in such instances. I would hate to see people being prosecuted over lighting a cigarette in the wrong place. As a non-smoker, I never objected to someone having a smoke, once they stayed a considerable distance from me. The new arrangements will have other positive effects. For example, it will no longer be necessary to clean clothes affected by smoke after a night in a pub.

As a Pioneer, I support the Minister in tackling the scourge of drink in this country. Smoking and drinking are very much related.

I support the motion and compliment the speakers who made a valuable contribution to this debate. I thank all the Ministers who were involved, as well as the members of the Government, all of whom have taken a stand against much opposition. I hope common sense will prevail over the next few months to enable this to work and that we do not have to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut. With a little time, people will get into the habit of smoking only in designated areas. I again call for adequate designated areas for those who wish to smoke.