Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the debate about herbal cigarettes in the context of the smoking ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9611/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are reports in the media concerning the smoking of herbal cigarettes in the context of the smoke-free workplaces measures. Herbal cigarettes are not classified as tobacco products and, as such, the smoking of these products is not prohibited under the smoke-free workplaces measures. A decision to allow the consumption of these products in premises where the smoking of tobacco products is prohibited is a matter for the management of the premises concerned.

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will confirm plans for the implementation of the smoking ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9612/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A national public information campaign, entitled Smoke-Free at Work, has been rolling out across TV, radio and print media. In addition, a series of print materials for workplaces, employees and the general public is available and these can be downloaded from the new smoke-free at work website. The campaign has been providing guidance and information to all sectors of society in preparation for the commencement of the smoke-free workplaces measures.

Information is available on line from the Office of Tobacco Control and the Health and Safety Authority websites. A memorandum of understanding has been agreed and signed by the two agencies which will help to ensure compliance with the new measure.

Work place locations traditionally visited by the Health and Safety Authority will now also have to comply with the new smoke-free measure as part of their general compliance with health and safety requirements. Monitoring compliance with the smoke-free requirements in the food and hospitality area will be carried out by officers from health boards and the Office of Tobacco Control. Health boards with vacancies in their established environmental health officer complements in the tobacco control area are in the process of filling these posts.

The emphasis of the campaign will be on compliance building and in harnessing the widespread public support and goodwill that exists for a smoke-free environment.

Where a person has a concern over a breach of the smoke-free requirements they should bring the matter to the attention of the manager or person in charge of the premises concerned. If they are not satisfied with the response they may refer the matter to the national helpline established by the Office of Tobacco Control at 1890 333 100 who will refer the matter to the appropriate local agency for investigation.

Adapting to the new measure will require some adjustment, particularly for those in workplaces which, up to now, have not benefited from the existing statutory controls on the smoking of tobacco products. I am confident that people will adjust, just as they did when cinemas, theatres, hairdressing salons, airplanes and numerous other settings went smoke-free. The trade union movement is strongly supportive and I am encouraged by the willingness shown by employers' organisations in the various sectors in recommending compliance with the new measure to their members. Most people are law abiding and responsible and I expect that the vast majority of employers, employees and the public will respect this important new public health measure.