Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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523. To ask the Minister for Health his plans, if any, to ensure that smoking areas in public places are not open to the elements with risk of contracting colds, influenza and discomfort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19353/16]

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Smoking areas in public places are not regulated for by legislation in Ireland. However, section 47(7) the Public Health Tobacco Act 2002 as substituted by Section 16 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2004 provides an exemption from the general prohibition on smoking in a workplace in respect of certain places. The exemption applies to "an outdoor part of a place or premises covered by a fixed or movable roof, provided that not more than 50 per cent of the perimeter of that part is surrounded by one or more walls or similar structures (inclusive of windows, doors, gates or other means of access to or egress from that part)".

Exposure to second-hand smoke in confined spaces is a serious health hazard and even brief exposure can cause damage. Second-hand smoke consists of over 7,000 chemicals, including more than 60 known carcinogens. Medical and scientific evidence shows that exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of serious medical conditions, such as lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and sudden infant death syndrome.

Given that the Government's policy is to achieve a tobacco free Ireland by 2025, there are no plans to amend the current legislation.