kathleen quinlan director of communications office of tobacco control ireland
TRANSCRIPT
Kathleen QuinlanDirector of CommunicationsOffice of Tobacco ControlIreland
Going Smoke-free:The Irish Experience
Kathleen QuinlanDirector of Communications
and Education
What is the smoke free workplace legislation?
Public Health (Tobacco) Acts – S47 as amended by S16
• 29 March 2004 • Offence for a person to smoke in a specified place which includes a place
of work• Owner, manager or other person in charge each guilty of an offence
where there is a contravention of law• Maximum fine €3,000 (£2,000 Stg.)• Defence if a person can show they made all reasonable efforts to ensure
compliance• Limited exemptions (based on “private dwelling” and outdoor areas) but
duty of care and general health and safety obligations still apply• Section 46 provides for mandatory signage – name of person in charge,
name to whom complaints can be made
Public Information Campaign• Informed public of new law
• Rationale
• Date of implementation
• Lo-call compliance line
Public Awareness and Support
• Smoke-free workplace law continues to enjoy widespread public support and high levels of compliance.
• Overwhelming public acceptance of the health reasons for the law.
• Support strong at outset and grows– 67% support before the law– 89% success – after introduction (independent research June ‘04)– 82% support (Dept. of Health research July ‘04)– Voted no. 1 “high” of 2004 – RTE National New Year’s Poll
• Overwhelming support– 98% believe workplaces are healthier (inc. 94% of smokers)
– 96% think the law is a success (inc. 89% of smokers)
– 93% think it is a good idea (inc. 80% of smokers)
– 81% thought publicans should comply with the law including 60% of smokers
TNS mrbi polls
EnforcementPublic Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and
2004
• The national inspection programme • Environmental Health Officers of the Health
Service Executive are the authorised officers • Inspections carried out under a series of
protocols developed by OTC
Compliance/Guidance
• Employers / Managers
• Licensed Trade
“ make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance”
• Compliance very high nationally
• 2004 - 35, 957 inspections 94% compliant
• 2005 - 35,042 inspections 95% compliant
Vigilance still necessary
• Active enforcement a highly effective and necessary tool in tobacco control
•Review of case statistics to date shows that where breaches occur EHOs will prosecute once evidence is secured
Success factors• Consistent proactive communication
• Public well informed about law & rationale– key message: positive health protection – illness from second-
hand smoke in workplace is preventable
• Built confidence that law was workable, enforceable and would be implemented
• Prepared for counter arguments with evidence based response– Research – scientific, attitudinal, economic…
Success factors• Sustained political
leadership/commitment– Cross party support
• Partnership– Office of Tobacco Control
– Dept. of Health and Children
– Health Service Executive
– Health and Safety Authority
Success Factors
• Broad based, active engagement of civil society (20+ groups)– NGO’s
• Irish Cancer Society
• Irish Heart Foundation
• ASH
– Environmental Health Officer Association
– Health and medical community
– Trade unions
“Pro Health Lobby”
Success factors
• Comprehensive law with few exemptions– Easier to enforce, applies equally to all premises,
obligations understood
• Well prepared implementation– Guidance and support materials (OTC, DOHC
steering group, etc.)
– Partnership approach to compliance building with business owners/managers (EHO’s)
• Implementation resources