20th anniversary of Ireland’s workplace smoking ban marked
THE 20th anniversary of Ireland’s workplace smoking ban is this week and, as the milestone is celebrated, a continued focus on tobacco products and vaping is being called for.
On Tuesday, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who pushed through the legislation as Health Minister in 2004, was joined at Government buildings by representatives of the Irish Heart Foundation, its ASH Council and other organisations involved.
The first of its kind in the world, the workplace smoking ban’s 20th anniversary officially falls this Good Friday, March 29.
Looking back to 2004, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: “At the time, there was huge opposition to the smoking ban and doubts over whether it would ever succeed, particularly in our hospitality industry.
“The decision sparked ferocious debate in what was the first real discussion on public health in Ireland.
“Shortly after its introduction, it came to be viewed as an important protective measure for the health of workers in every sector. It was clear that the general public wanted it.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin pushed through the legislation as Health Minister in 2004 (Image/Robbie Reynolds Photography)
He added: “Despite its success, we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent when it comes to the war on smoking.
“Tobacco, along with the new threat of vaping, is continuing to cause huge damage to people in this country.”
As the 20th anniversary of the ban approaches, Chris Macey, Director of Advocacy and Patient Support with the Irish Heart Foundation spoke of its “lifesaving impact”.
“It is estimated that it saved more than 3,700 lives in Ireland in the first three-and-a-half years after its implementation”, Mr Macey said.
“[This is] almost 2.7 lives a day – and resulted in an immediate 26 per cent reduction in ischaemic heart disease and a 32 per cent drop in strokes.
“As countries across the world followed suit, the lifesaving impact of the law is beyond measure.”
Mr Macey warned, however, that two decades on, Ireland must pursue “bold, ambitious measures” on tobacco and vape control.
“Tobacco is still responsible for 4,500 deaths a year in Ireland, while an e-cigarette epidemic is responsible for driving nicotine addiction among young people”, he said.
“Smoking rates among teenagers are increasing for the first time in a generation, most likely due to the gateway effect from vaping.”
The Irish Heart Foundation believes the Government now needs to raise the legal age for the sale of tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21.
Mr Macey also said that Ireland needs to follow UK proposals which would make it illegal for anyone born after a certain year to buy tobacco products.
This can be achieved by raising the legal age for its sale by one year, every year.
“Ireland can become a tobacco and nicotine-free society, but only bold, ambitious measures can achieve this reality,” he said.
For information and support on stopping to smoke visit the Irish Heart Foundation’s website HERE.
