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The Journey to a Smoke-Free Ireland: Insights and Lessons Learned

Kathleen Quinlan, Director of Communications at the Office of Tobacco Control in Ireland, shares insights on Ireland's smoke-free workplace legislation, implemented on March 29, 2004. The legislation prohibits smoking in workplaces and imposes fines on those who fail to comply. Public support for the law has been overwhelmingly positive, with numerous surveys showing high compliance rates and public acceptance of its health benefits. Key factors for success include proactive communication, cross-party political support, and active engagement with civil society, ensuring that the law protects public health effectively.

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The Journey to a Smoke-Free Ireland: Insights and Lessons Learned

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  1. Kathleen Quinlan Director of Communications Office of Tobacco Control Ireland

  2. Going Smoke-free:The Irish Experience Kathleen Quinlan Director of Communications and Education

  3. What is the smoke free workplace legislation? Public Health (Tobacco) Acts – S47 as amended by S16 • 29 March 2004 • Offence for a person to smoke in a specified place which includes a place of work • Owner, manager or other person in charge each guilty of an offence where there is a contravention of law • Maximum fine €3,000 (£2,000 Stg.) • Defence if a person can show they made all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance • Limited exemptions (based on “private dwelling” and outdoor areas) but duty of care and general health and safety obligations still apply • Section 46 provides for mandatory signage – name of person in charge, name to whom complaints can be made

  4. Public Information Campaign • Informed public of new law • Rationale • Date of implementation • Lo-call compliance line

  5. Public Awareness and Support • Smoke-free workplace law continues to enjoy widespread public support and high levels of compliance. • Overwhelming public acceptance of the health reasons for the law. • Support strong at outset and grows • 67% support before the law • 89% success – after introduction (independent research June ‘04) • 82% support (Dept. of Health research July ‘04) • Voted no. 1 “high” of 2004– RTE National New Year’s Poll

  6. Overwhelming support • 98% believe workplaces are healthier (inc. 94% of smokers) • 96% think the law is a success (inc. 89% of smokers) • 93% think it is a good idea (inc. 80% of smokers) • 81% thought publicans should comply with the law including 60% of smokers TNS mrbi polls

  7. Enforcement Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004 • The national inspection programme • Environmental Health Officers of the Health Service Executive are the authorised officers • Inspections carried out under a series of protocols developed by OTC

  8. Compliance/Guidance • Employers / Managers • Licensed Trade “ make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance”

  9. Compliance very high nationally • 2004 - 35, 957 inspections 94% compliant • 2005 - 35,042 inspections 95% compliant

  10. Vigilance still necessary • Active enforcement a highly effective and necessary tool in tobacco control • Review of case statistics to date shows that where breaches occur EHOs will prosecute once evidence is secured

  11. Success factors • Consistent proactive communication • Public well informed about law & rationale • key message: positive health protection – illness from second-hand smoke in workplace is preventable • Built confidence that law was workable, enforceable and would be implemented • Prepared for counter arguments with evidence based response • Research – scientific, attitudinal, economic…

  12. Success factors • Sustained political leadership/commitment • Cross party support • Partnership • Office of Tobacco Control • Dept. of Health and Children • Health Service Executive • Health and Safety Authority

  13. Success Factors • Broad based, active engagement of civil society (20+ groups) • NGO’s • Irish Cancer Society • Irish Heart Foundation • ASH • Environmental Health Officer Association • Health and medical community • Trade unions “Pro Health Lobby”

  14. Success factors • Comprehensive law with few exemptions • Easier to enforce, applies equally to all premises, obligations understood • Well prepared implementation • Guidance and support materials (OTC, DOHC steering group, etc.) • Partnership approach to compliance building with business owners/managers (EHO’s) • Implementation resources

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