Written answers

Tuesday, 1 May 2018

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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310. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to extend the smoking ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19053/18]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The current legislative framework on tobacco control is the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 to 2015. Section 47 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts prohibits smoking in most enclosed work places. This includes office blocks, public houses/bars, restaurants and company vehicles (cars and vans). The overall purpose of the ban is to limit people from the harms of second hand tobacco smoke. Section 47(7) provides exemptions from the general prohibition in respect of certain places / premises including prisons, nursing homes, non-acute long stay facilities and psychiatric hospitals.

The Protection of Children's Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Act 2014 prohibits the smoking of tobacco in cars where children are present.

The policy document Tobacco Free Ireland (2013) sets a target for Ireland to be tobacco free (i.e. with a prevalence rate of less than 5%) by 2025. Tobacco Free Ireland addresses a range of tobacco control issues and initiatives and contains over 60 recommendations. Some of those recommendations relate to extending the smoking ban on a legislative basis to the campuses of primary and secondary schools and child care facilities. Other recommendations relate to the promotion, on a voluntary basis and in conjunction with key stakeholders, of smoke free environments on the outdoor campuses of third level institutions, health care facilities, Government facilities, sports facilities, playgrounds, parks and beaches. Progress has been made in particular in relation to health care and Government facilities, playgrounds and third level institutions.

The Government recently agreed to support a Seanad Private Members' Motion seeking the Minister for Health to extend the smoking ban to outdoor commercial public places where food is consumed. It was agreed that the measure would be addressed on the completion of the current tobacco control legislative programme as set out in Tobacco Free Ireland and in line with our international legislative obligations. Minister Byrne set out this legislative programme and obligations in detail in the Seanad Debate on this issue on 25th April, 2018.

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