No appetite in government to ban smoking in outdoor pubs and restaurants
Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who introduced the workplace smoking ban in 2004, is not in favour of the plan, a spokesperson has confirmed to the Irish Mirror
Ireland looks unlikely to pursue the English Government’s proposal to ban smoking in outdoor pubs and restaurants.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who introduced the workplace smoking ban in 2004, is not in favour of the plan, a spokesperson has confirmed to the Irish Mirror.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed last week that he would back proposals to ban smoking in outdoor hospitality areas, stadiums, children’s parks and areas near hospitals and universities. He told Channel 4 News he was “supportive” of the proposals, stating that he wants Britain to become a “smoke-free environment”.
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In 2004, Ireland became the first country to ban smoking indoors. The plan was introduced by Micheál Martin when he was Health Minister. However, a spokesperson for the Tánaiste confirmed he would not be in favour of a similar ban that is being examined in the UK being introduced in Ireland.
“The Tánaiste believes in an evidence-based approach to implementing public health measures,” they said.
“In 2004, the smoking ban was implemented on the basis of significant research into the health effects of environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace. His focus now is on cracking down on e-cigarettes and vapes, with a substantial body of research showing their detrimental effects on health.”
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman, meanwhile, told the Irish Mirror last week that he would need to give the idea consideration before stating whether or not it would be something that would appear in his party’s general election manifesto.
He said: “I was at an outdoor restaurant yesterday and getting smoke blown into my face and was quite irritated by it. I haven’t seen the proposal. I’d look at it carefully. Obviously, as a country, we secured huge public health benefits from the restriction of smoking in indoor areas. It was seen as a public health measure for staff originally, primarily.
“I’ll look closely at that, but I need to just give that a bit of consideration.”
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