More than twice as many people say they will visit bars for a drink more often after the smoking ban is introduced, according to a survey published yesterday to coincide with the announcement of the commencement date for the workplace smoking ban.
This could create its own headaches for a State intent on cutting alcohol consumption rates but the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, said he regarded it as "far healthier" for people going out for a drink in a pub than drinking at home, where drinks were not measured.
The survey of people's intentions to frequent pubs after the ban comes into effect on Monday March 29th also found up to 60 per cent of smokers will visit bars as often or more often after the ban is introduced.
The research was conducted last month among a random sample of 1,000 people across the State. It was carried out by TNS-mrbi for the Office of Tobacco Control.
Announcing that the ban will begin in just over five weeks, Mr Martin said it would mean workers in pubs, restaurants and other workplaces would no longer be exposed to second-hand smoke, which he described as a toxic pollutant. He said exposure to passive smoke increased the risk of stroke by 82 per cent and the risk of lung cancer by 40 per cent.
"There are still those in the tobacco industry, who, putting self-interest above public interest, try to refute or play down the risk to health from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. However, most people have made up their minds on the issue and rightly expect that Government will take the steps necessary to deal with the problem.
"I am confident this measure will provide a health legacy, not just for current but also for future generations who thankfully will never know what it was like to work in an enclosed smoke-filled environment," he said.
Concerns have, however, been raised about who will police the ban. There are just 40 environmental health officers to police the hospitality sector and 100 field inspectors with the health and safety authority, who also have to inspect safety on building sites, farms and other workplaces, to ensure compliance with the ban in factories. Ms Ann Marie Park of the Environmental Health Officers Association said that during the first six weeks, the emphasis will be on helping pubs and restaurants comply rather than on prosecuting. She said the Department of Health had given a commitment to review the numbers of EHOs policing the ban after implementation began.
Mr Tom Began, chief executive of the Health and Safety Authority, said he hadn't been given extra staff to ensure compliance with the ban.
Guidelines will be issued to all employers in coming days on how to comply with the ban. Pubs will be asked to put up no smoking signs and remove ashtrays. If a person lights up in a pub, the staff will be advised to tell them to extinguish the cigarette. If the person persists, they should be asked to leave the premises. If somebody becomes obstreperous, staff should not put themselves at risk by dealing with them but should call the gardaí, the Minister said.