Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the estimates for the public health impact of the implementation of the workplace smoking ban. [13424/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Since the introduction of the workplace smoking ban in March 2004, compliance with the legislation has consistently been over 96% indicating the success of this important public health measure. In 2005 the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society examined the effect of the workplace ban on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in 42 Dublin bars and among 73 bar workers. The study found an 83 percent reduction in air pollution in bars, an 80 percent decrease in airborne carcinogens for patrons and staff, and an improvement in the respiratory health of bar workers.

The self-reported workplace exposure to ETS was over 40 hours per week pre-ban, but dropped to about 25 minutes post-ban, showing a 99 percent decrease in exposure. These results confirm the success of the total ban on smoking in the workplace. Based on this research the European Respiratory Society in Brussels estimated that if all European countries were to adopt a similar policy, between 5 to 10 million premature deaths from smoking could be prevented over the next generation.

A study presented in 2011 on hospital admissions due to acute pulmonary disease found that emergency admissions due to respiratory illness dropped significantly in Ireland after the implementation of the workplace smoking ban. The most significant reduction was in emergency admissions due to cardiopulmonary disease, an illness that affects both the heart and lungs. Admissions among these patients went down by 13 percent after the workplace ban. http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Coloradohttp://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/COPD This study further emphasises the benefit of reducing exposure to ETS and the extent to which the implementation of the workplace ban improves general health.

Despite these considerable improvements as a result of the workplace ban, I must acknowledge that I am somewhat disappointed that the smoking prevalence rates have not reduced more significantly since the introduction of the ban. My Department is currently undertaking a review of tobacco policy. This review, when completed, will include proposals aimed at further reducing smoking initiation and prevalence rates.