 | Office of Tobacco Control [external link] | |
| Smoke-free at work [external link] | |
| Government web site on smoke-free workplaces | ||
| Growing up smoke-free [external link] | |
| Booklet launched by the Irish Cancer Society | ||
| Best Practise Asthma Guidelines for Primary Schools in Ireland [external link] | |
Environmental Tobacco Smoke
On 29 March 2004 most enclosed places of work in Ireland, including licensed premised and restaurants, became smoke-free. The primary purpose of the measure is to protect the health of workers and the public from exposure to toxic environmental tobacco smoke. This is a positive, progressive health and safety measure, which brings immediate and long-term positive benefits to workers and the general public alike. The response to date across all sectors is very positive with compliance at a very high level (94%). The successful introduction of the new measure reflects the widespread public support and goodwill that exists for a clean smoke-free environment in the workplace.
On 1 March 2006, Irish National No Smoking Day, the Irish Cancer Society launched a new booklet entitled "Growing up smoke-free". This booklet highlights the importance of protecting the younger generation from the dangers of second-hand smoke, particularly in the home and in the car.
Asthma
On 3 February 2006 the Asthma Society of Ireland launched the 'Best Practice Asthma Guidelines for Primary Schools in Ireland'. A recent Irish survey indicated that schools would like more advice and training about managing acute asthmatic attacks in schools and these guidelines assist in providing schools with this information.
Bituminous Coal Ban
At the start of the 1990s the main air quality problem facing Ireland was the occurrence of "winter smog" (smoke and sulfur dioxide emissions) resulting from widespread use of bituminous coal in major urban areas, notably Dublin. In the mid to late 1980's levels of smoke and sulphur dioxide were as much as seven times the EU and national limit values. To deal with the problem, regulations were made in 1990 to ban the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal in the Dublin area. Smoke and SO2 levels showed considerable improvement once the ban was introduced. The ban was extended to Cork in 1995, Arklow, Drogheda, Dundalk, Limerick and Wexford in 1998, Celbridge, Galway, Leixlip, Naas and Waterford in 2000 and Bray, Kilkenny, Sligo and Tralee in 2003.
Independent medical research has shown that the ban has resulted in some 116 fewer respiratory deaths and 243 fewer cardiovascular deaths per year in Dublin alone. A study by St. James's Hospital carried out over a 14 year period, pre and post coal ban, showed that as a result of the ban:
The benefits of the ban on bituminous coal are visible for everybody to see. Black smoke has stabilized at very low levels following the implementation of the smoke-control regulations, standing at typically one-fifth of the EU's relevant limit value. Clean air means less risk of respiratory and other health problems, better quality of life for all and better living conditions for the children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems such as asthmatics and those with cardiovascular problems.
In June 2002 the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government signed a negotiated agreement with the solid fuel trade whereby industry agreed to reduce the sulfur content of bituminous coal and petcoke progressively up to 2005.
The 2002 Agreement is now undergoing its final review and discussions are underway with a view to exploring further how to maximise environmental benefits from the solid fuel sector. It is expected that this process will draw to a close shortly.
