Smoking in Ireland
Encyclopedia
Smoking in workplaces in Ireland was banned on 29 March 2004, making Ireland
the first country in the world to institute an outright ban on smoking in workplaces. From that date onwards, under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts, it has been illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces. The ban is strictly enforced and includes bars, restaurants, clubs, offices, public buildings, company cars, trucks, taxis and vans - and within a three metre radius to the entrances of these locations. A private residence is considered a workplace when tradespeople, such as plumbers or electricians, are working there.
€3,000 is the maximum fine on the spot, while a prison sentence can also be given at a later time for violators. The law does not apply to prisons, nursing homes, psychiatric wards and some hotel rooms. Stadiums like Croke Park
also ban smoking anywhere in the grounds.
Before the total ban, smoking was already outlawed in public buildings, hospital
s, schools, restaurant kitchens, and on aircraft and some trains (Intercity trains provided smokers' carriages).
Premises must display a sign to inform patrons of the ban (in Irish or English), and the contact person for any complaints. A workplace can be fined €3,000 for each person that is found smoking (this means €15,000 for 5 people in violation). Smoking rooms are not allowed. Any shelter can not have more than 50 percent coverage of walls. There is also a Compliance Line set up by the Office of Tobacco Control, that people can call to report people smoking in a workplace or retail outlets selling tobacco to under-18s.
On 18 July 2008, Irish Fine Gael
MEP Avril Doyle
proposed in a committee in the European Parliament, that she would like to see an EU-wide ban on cigarettes and cigars by 2025.
On 1 July 2009, Ireland banned in-store tobacco advertising and displays of tobacco products at retail outlets and new controls on tobacco vending machines (limiting them to being token-operated in registered bars and clubs only) were also introduced. At the same time a ban on the sale of packets of 10 cigarettes was introduced. Tobacco advertising had already been banned from radio, television and on billboards beforehand. The changes now mean that tobacco products must now be stored out of sight in closed containers behind the counter (accessible by retail staff only) and customers can be shown a card showing all available brands in a pictorial list if they wish to purchase cigarettes. Signs must also be shown informing customers that tobacco is sold at the premises. Ireland was the first country in the EU and third in the world (after Canada and Iceland) to introduce such measures, which are punishable with a fine of €3,000 and/or a six-month prison sentence. However, specialist tobacco shops (of which there are fewer than six) are exempt from the new rules; all retailers selling tobacco must register with the Health Service Executive
and the new laws will be enforced by environmental health officers.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
the first country in the world to institute an outright ban on smoking in workplaces. From that date onwards, under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts, it has been illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces. The ban is strictly enforced and includes bars, restaurants, clubs, offices, public buildings, company cars, trucks, taxis and vans - and within a three metre radius to the entrances of these locations. A private residence is considered a workplace when tradespeople, such as plumbers or electricians, are working there.
€3,000 is the maximum fine on the spot, while a prison sentence can also be given at a later time for violators. The law does not apply to prisons, nursing homes, psychiatric wards and some hotel rooms. Stadiums like Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
also ban smoking anywhere in the grounds.
Before the total ban, smoking was already outlawed in public buildings, hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s, schools, restaurant kitchens, and on aircraft and some trains (Intercity trains provided smokers' carriages).
Premises must display a sign to inform patrons of the ban (in Irish or English), and the contact person for any complaints. A workplace can be fined €3,000 for each person that is found smoking (this means €15,000 for 5 people in violation). Smoking rooms are not allowed. Any shelter can not have more than 50 percent coverage of walls. There is also a Compliance Line set up by the Office of Tobacco Control, that people can call to report people smoking in a workplace or retail outlets selling tobacco to under-18s.
On 18 July 2008, Irish Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
MEP Avril Doyle
Avril Doyle
Avril Doyle is a former Irish politician. She was a member of Fine Gael, part of the European People's Party.Avril Belton was born in Dublin and was educated at University College Dublin. Her father Richard Belton was a Senator and her grandfather Patrick Belton was a Teachta Dála...
proposed in a committee in the European Parliament, that she would like to see an EU-wide ban on cigarettes and cigars by 2025.
On 1 July 2009, Ireland banned in-store tobacco advertising and displays of tobacco products at retail outlets and new controls on tobacco vending machines (limiting them to being token-operated in registered bars and clubs only) were also introduced. At the same time a ban on the sale of packets of 10 cigarettes was introduced. Tobacco advertising had already been banned from radio, television and on billboards beforehand. The changes now mean that tobacco products must now be stored out of sight in closed containers behind the counter (accessible by retail staff only) and customers can be shown a card showing all available brands in a pictorial list if they wish to purchase cigarettes. Signs must also be shown informing customers that tobacco is sold at the premises. Ireland was the first country in the EU and third in the world (after Canada and Iceland) to introduce such measures, which are punishable with a fine of €3,000 and/or a six-month prison sentence. However, specialist tobacco shops (of which there are fewer than six) are exempt from the new rules; all retailers selling tobacco must register with the Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive
The Health Service Executive is responsible for the provision of healthcare providing health and personal social services for everyone living in Ireland, with public funds. The Executive was established by the Health Act, 2004 and came into official operation on January 1, 2005...
and the new laws will be enforced by environmental health officers.