This major public health measure means that it is now against the law to smoke in most workplaces, public places and certain vehicles in Northern Ireland.
Health Minister Paul Goggins said; “Second-hand smoke is a toxic cocktail of around 4000 chemicals - many of which cause cancer. It is internationally accepted that there can be NO safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke.
“Non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke are 20%-30% more likely to develop lung cancer – not to mention the other illnesses and diseases. It is regrettable and astonishing that second-hand smoke accounts for the loss of around 278 lives each year in Northern Ireland.
“People do not want to breathe in other people’s smoke. That was made very clear at the consultation stage of this legislation. By reducing our level of exposure, this legislation will improve health and save lives”
Evidence from Scotland and the Republic of Ireland has shown that there has been a massive improvement in air quality in bars and restaurants as a result of smoke-free legislation. The Republic has already seen an 83% reduction in air pollution in Irish pubs and an 80% decrease in airborne carcinogens for both patrons and staff since the introduction of their smoke-free legislation.
The new legislation has the support of major health charities and lobbying organisations across Northern Ireland including the Health Promotion Agency, Ulster Cancer Foundation, Action Cancer, Macmillan Cancer Support, British Medical Association, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Royal College of Nursing, Chest, Heart and Stroke NI and the Institute of Public Health.
Paul Goggins continued: “Smoke-free legislation is now working in many places throughout the world. I have no doubt that the same benefits will be reaped here.”
A compliance telephone line will operate from 30 April 2007. This will allow the public to report breaches of smoke-free legislation. The telephone number for the compliance line is 0845 603 2500 (calls will be charged at local rate).
Notes to Editors:
Smoke-free legislation was introduced in the Republic of Ireland from 24 March 2004, in Scotland from 26 March 2006 and in Wales from 2 April this year. It will also be introduced in England from 1 July.
There is overwhelming public support for comprehensive legislative controls on smoking in Northern Ireland with almost 65,000 (91%) of respondents to a public consultation exercise in favour of such controls. There is also strong trades’ union and cross-party political support for the measures being introduced today.
Guidance on smoke-free legislation has been produced by the Health Promotion Agency on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS). Copies were distributed to all employers in Northern Ireland earlier this month.
Smoke-free legislation will be enforced by district councils’ environmental health officers. A telephone compliance line has been set up to enable the public to report breaches of the legislation. The number is 0845 603 2500. Calls will be charged at a local rate.
Experience elsewhere suggests that the introduction of comprehensive legislative controls on smoking leads to more people making the quit attempt. Since 1999, DHSSPS has made around £8m available for public information campaigns and the development of smoking cessation services.
Other initiatives in recent years include the establishment, in January 2003, of a dedicated freephone telephone helpline service (The Smokers Helpline Tel No: 0800 85 85 85) and the publication, in April 2003, of a Training Framework which set standards for cessation services across the HPSS.
There are now almost 300 pharmacies across Northern Ireland providing advice and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to smokers wanting to quit. Smokers who want more information about their local community pharmacy cessation service or other services and advice on stopping smoking can contact the Northern Ireland Smokers’ Helpline on 0800 858585.
More information on the Smoke-Free legislation can be found at www.spacetobreathe.org.uk 
For media enquiries contact Jenny Magill at the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 90520575 or 07833 668748 or Martin McDermott on 028 90520636 or 07788 108 658.
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