Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in Ireland. Each year almost 7,000 people die prematurely from the effects of tobacco and thousands of others become ill because of tobacco-related diseases.

In an attempt to lower the death rate from smoking and protect the health of the nation the government has introduced laws to control the sale of tobacco products - cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco etc and their use in the workplace.

In conjunction with the Office of Tobacco Control, the Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) of the HSE enforce most of the tobacco control legislation in Ireland.  These laws include the restriction of advertising and marketing of tobacco products and the prohibition of the smoking of tobacco products in certain places.

WORKPLACE SMOKING BAN

Most people are familiar with the workplace smoking ban which relates to all enclosed / indoor workplaces including restaurants and licensed premises with limited exceptions such as prisons, nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, hotel bedrooms and private dwellings.

A ‘No Smoking’ sign must be displayed clearly in the workplace and the name of the proprietor and the name of person to whom complaints can be made, must also be included.

UNDERAGE SALES

It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years, even if they are for someone else.  Both the seller and the owner or manager of the shop can be prosecuted for selling to someone under 18 years of age.

Environmental Health Officers carry out checks, known as test purchases, to make sure shops are not selling tobacco products to children.

OTHER TOBACCO CONTROLS

·         packs of cigarettes should be sold in packets containing no less than 20 cigarettes

·         it is an offence to sell confectionaries to children that have been manufactured in such a way as to resemble a tobacco product,

·         advertising and marketing of tobacco is strictly regulated as is sponsorship by tobacco companies

These legal requirements are routinely checked and enforced by EHOs.

New Legislation

Since October 2008 any cigarettes imported from abroad must have the warning notices and information notices concerning nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide in both the Irish and English languages. From 1 October 2009 this will apply to all products.

From 1 July 2009, no advertising or display of cigarettes or tobacco products will be permitted in retail outlets, other changes that will be introduced at this time include; introduction of a closed container / dispenser provision,  tighter controls on the location and operation of tobacco vending machines, and introduction of a retail register for tobacco retailers.

COMPLAINTS

If you have a complaint about people smoking in a work-place or any breach of tobacco legislation  first bring the matter to the attention of the person in charge, if your complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily  contact your local Environmental Health Service or call the Office of Tobacco Control compliance line: 1890 333100

The Environmental Health Service has produced two leaflets on Tobacco Control, one for the general public and one particularly with tobacco retailers in mind. To read or download these leaflets please click on the links below

Tobacco Control

The Role of the Retailer in Tobacco Control

For further information on Tobacco Control contact your local Environmental Health Officer or log on to www.otc.ie

For further information on smoking or smoking cessation please contact the Irish Cancer Society

www.cancer.ie or ASH Ireland www.ashireland.ie or your local HSE Health Promotion Officer

Click here to contact your Environmental Health Officer