Dr Patrick Doorley, Chairman of ASH Ireland said this morning, “This is one of the most progressive and successful pieces of health legislation introduced in recent years, and has been replicated by countries all around the world. This pro health legislation has shown the Irish Government as international leaders in the fight against tobacco and nicotine addiction.”Since the introduction of the workplace-smoking ban, prevalence in Ireland has been reduced by close to 10% to 19.5%. This is a remarkable development, which will save lives and massively reduced smoking related illness. It will also contribute to the reduction of the close to €1bn spend on tobacco related illness annually.This legislation was introduced to protect workers from environmental tobacco smoke, an established carcinogen.
The public support for this legislation has always been over 90% and interestingly over 70% of smokers support this legislation.
The introduction of a ban on smoking in our pubs and restaurants has for the first time in decades allowed people with respiratory diseases, including asthma to socialise in public areas – surely we would never contemplate reversing this.
ASH Ireland would expect that the present Government will now proceed with the introduction of standardized packaging and look for every possible measure to save lives and reduce illness from tobacco related disease.
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Or contact: Wally Young, Young Communications 087-2471520
ASH Ireland 