Agencies working with homeless people have called on the Department of Health to clarify how the smoking ban will affect hostels and other emergency accommodation.
A number of agencies wrote to the Department and the Minister for Health in recent months on the issue, but are still waiting for guidance. An estimated 85 per cent of homeless people smoke and many stay in emergency hostels. Ms Mary Higgins, director of the Homeless Agency, which co-ordinates the delivery of services for homeless people, said it was puzzling that the issue had not yet been addressed.
Smoking will be permitted in bed and breakfast accommodation because they are also private dwellings, but the status of hostels is unclear. Some hostels provide dormitory accommodation, while others provide bedrooms or self-catering units. "There are a lot of grey areas. What constitutes a dwelling place?" Ms Higgins asked.
She said a total smoking ban might result in more people sleeping on the streets. Some homeless people might decide that they would be better off on the streets than going in and out of the hostel to smoke. Other less-compliant residents might have to be ejected for ignoring the ban.
Focus Ireland wrote to the Minister for Health one month ago seeking an exemption. Mr Mamar Merzouk, Focus Ireland's research, development and education director, said he understood the rationale behind the ban but said it would provide a difficult situation for customers and staff.
"When our customers come in here they are overly-stressed and living in very difficult situations. The last thing they want to be told is to stop smoking because it's not good for your health," he said. Allowing clients to smoke was a way of connecting with them and building up trust. "For people without a home, giving up smoking is the last thing on their minds," Mr Merzouk said.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said officials in the Attorney General's Office and the Department of Health would be examining the issue in the coming days and would make a decision then.
