Ireland stubs out smoking in the workplace.

Abstract

Ireland became the first country in the world to prohibit smoking in the workplace on 29 March 2004. The ban amounts to tobacco-free environments in all enclosed public spaces--including restaurants and the country's famous pubs, where a cigarette and a pint of stout have long been traditional habits. "It's au important accomplishment, and it sends a good, strong message to the rest of the world," said Vera da Costa e Silva, Director of WHO's Tobacco-Free Initiative. Much of the media coverage of the ban has focused on disgruntled pub proprietors and patrons. Although 30% of the Irish population currently smoke, few have formally objected to or violated the ban since it was enacted, said Valerie Coghlan, administrator of the Irish branch of Action on Smoking and Health, a London-based advocacy group whose mission is to eliminate smoking in society. The ban was announced just four days after Ecuador and The Republic of Congo signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, bringing the total number of participating countries to 100 and the total number of signatories to 101, including the European Community. Negotiated worldwide under the auspices of WHO, this convention is the first legal instrument designed to reduce tobacco-related deaths and disease around the world, h obliges signatories to meet minimum standards on tobacco-related issues such as cigarette advertising, protection from second-hand smoke, tax and price measures, as well as packaging and labeling. The convention is the centrepiece of an overall effort by WHO to shift views on smoking, according to da Costa e Silva. "We now have clear evidence that nicotine addiction is a disease. Therefore, smoking should be treated as a preventable and treatable epidemic," she said. It is an epidemic that is expanding rapidly. Barring more effective intervention, the total number of tobacco users is expected to rise from the current 1.3 billion to 1.7 billion by 2025. Tobacco use now kills 4.9 million people each year, with the heaviest toll in developing countries, where 7 out of 10 smoking-related deaths occur. Experience suggests the measure taken by Ireland could turn out to be the simplest and most effective way to discourage smoking and encourage cessation. "In enacting a workplace ban, you send a message: 'We want you to live in a healthy environment.' That message creates a supportive atmosphere for smokers to quit, especially if you offer them help," da Costa e Silva said. Ireland's Government prepared for the ban by concurrently bolstering smoking cessation programmes, Coghlan said. …