Public invited to comment on smoking ban

A significant step towards introducing smoke free legislation in Northern Ireland next year took place today as Health Minister Paul Goggins sought public views on draft regulations.

The draft regulations initially set out detailed proposals covering a range of issues associated with smoke free legislation, including the definition of “enclosed” and “substantially enclosed” premises, requirements for the content and display of no smoking signs, exemptions to the legislation, and arrangements in respect of fixed penalty notices.

On October 17 2005, the then Health Minister Shaun Woodward announced that comprehensive controls on smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, including pubs, would be introduced in Northern Ireland in April 2007 to protect the public from exposure to second-hand smoke.

Health Minister Paul Goggins today said: “I am acutely aware that there is widespread support for smoke-free legislation in Northern Ireland. That is why I am keen to ensure that we consult as widely as possible on the fine detail of the legislation to ensure that we maintain this high level of support. While enclosed public places and work places will be smoke free, we propose exemptions, which include designated bedrooms in hotels and in long stay mental health units. We also propose to exempt prisons, smoking in which will be covered by prison rules.

“I want to stress once again though that the measures we are proposing do not represent an attack on smokers. They are designed to protect the public and employees from exposure to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.”

A widespread public consultation exercise on the draft Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (the draft Order) ran between March 6 and May 5 2006.

The public’s views were sought on a range of issues including definitions of smoking and smoke-free premises, possible exemptions, offences and level of penalties, enforcement and the taking of a power to raise the age limit for sale of tobacco to young people.

The draft regulations, to be made under powers contained in the draft Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, are subject to the draft Order being approved by Parliament later this year.

Smoke-free legislation came into force in Scotland on March 26 2006 and is planned for Wales in April 2007 and England in the summer of 2007.

Similar legislation was introduced in the Republic of Ireland in March 2004.

The consultation will last for six weeks, from 25th September to 3rd November 2006.

Responses may be emailed via the online response form on the website or, alternatively, the completed questionnaire may be posted to the Department at the address provided.

The consultation package on the draft regulations, which includes a questionnaire, may be accessed on the Department’s website at: www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/consultations/current_consultations

(EF/KMcA)