Smoking in Public Places
A Consultation on Reducing Exposure to Second Hand Smoke
Report of Regional and Area Events
GALASHIELS, 27 SEPTEMBER 2004
18 people were present including facilitator. The participants were mostly there on a professional basis.
Publican had bar for 11 years reckons that 75% of his clients are smokers.
Doubts about passive smoking has any effect (ill health).
Agreement of designated smoking areas, but it is choice whether non-smokers go into smoking area or not.
Some accepted link between passive smoking and ill health.
Bar staff often students as easy to fit in around study commitments.
If we have doubts we should give our children benefit of doubt.
Human rights.
Exceptions in Ireland are care homes, prisons as these are seen peoples homes.
Conflicts of opinion around passive smoking. 1/3 don't think passive smoking a problem. Vote came out with following:
No relation to passive smoking and lung cancer, asthma etc | 1 |
Doubts about passive smoking and ill health | 3 |
Convinced of link between passive smoking and lung cancer, asthma etc | 9 |
Legislation
Legislation required to bring in ban. Voluntary code would not work - has worked in some places e.g. non-smoking B&B, but problematic to enforce. Pubs may be different.
Small employers/businesses do not need to 'ban' smoking in workplace.
Buses/cinemas its accepted.
A ban on smoking in specific places in certain circumstances - food.
Who would police a total ban?
Bans in smoking did not work - smokers found places to smoke.
Phased legislation > total ban in public places.
Provide spaces for people to smoke.
Phased approach - still problem of workers health.
Phased approach already happening organically over 20 years.
Compensation for pubs.
Vote
Total ban should be introduced legislatively | 3 |
Ban in certain places and circumstances | 14 |
Give powers to local authorities | 0 |
Not doing anything | 1 |