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17/10/2005
Minister confirms NI smoking ban
Northern Ireland is to get a smoking ban in all workplaces and enclosed spaces, the Government has announced today.
Health Minister Shawn Woodward said the decision was made following extensive consultation on the issue but that it would be April 2007 before any new legislation comes into effect in the province.
Speaking to an audience which included health professionals and members of the licensed trade in the city's Waterfront Hall on Monday, the Minister said: "I do not want to stop those who want to go on smoking from doing so.
"That's your choice. You have every right to lead your life as you choose. But no-one has a right to subject colleagues and workmates to the dangers and hazards of second-hand smoke and passive smoking.
"No-one has a right to subject members of the public who do not smoke to those same dangers in enclosed public spaces."
The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland said the decision was "a great day for the health of the people of Northern Ireland".
BMA(NI) Chairman, Dr Brian Patterson, said: “Minister Woodward has shown courage in making this decision and we will give him our full support in taking it to implementation. He has listened to the people of Northern Ireland and held his nerve in deciding to give them the total ban for which they have called.
“We urge the politicians to now move through the legislation process as rapidly as possible because delay costs lives. Each week one person in Northern Ireland dies from inhaling other people’s tobacco smoke so it is imperative that no more time is lost.”
Dr Peter Maguire, Deputy Chairman of the BMA’s Board of Science, added: “At last there will be the same protection for workers here as in the Republic of Ireland. Scotland’s workforce will also be fully protected from April 2006 and we will keep up the pressure on our politicians to make sure that no time is wasted implementing the ban here.”
Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún also welcomed the announcement.
"I am extremely pleased by today's decision. It now means that workplaces in the whole of Ireland will be smoke free and that can only be a positive development for the long-term health of employees and patrons," the former Health Minister said.
Over the summer, results of a public consultation in Northern Ireland showed that 91% of those questioned were in favour of a total ban.
The announcement comes as medical researchers stated that a smoking ban in the Republic of Ireland was protecting bar workers.
(MB/SP)
Health Minister Shawn Woodward said the decision was made following extensive consultation on the issue but that it would be April 2007 before any new legislation comes into effect in the province.
Speaking to an audience which included health professionals and members of the licensed trade in the city's Waterfront Hall on Monday, the Minister said: "I do not want to stop those who want to go on smoking from doing so.
"That's your choice. You have every right to lead your life as you choose. But no-one has a right to subject colleagues and workmates to the dangers and hazards of second-hand smoke and passive smoking.
"No-one has a right to subject members of the public who do not smoke to those same dangers in enclosed public spaces."
The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland said the decision was "a great day for the health of the people of Northern Ireland".
BMA(NI) Chairman, Dr Brian Patterson, said: “Minister Woodward has shown courage in making this decision and we will give him our full support in taking it to implementation. He has listened to the people of Northern Ireland and held his nerve in deciding to give them the total ban for which they have called.
“We urge the politicians to now move through the legislation process as rapidly as possible because delay costs lives. Each week one person in Northern Ireland dies from inhaling other people’s tobacco smoke so it is imperative that no more time is lost.”
Dr Peter Maguire, Deputy Chairman of the BMA’s Board of Science, added: “At last there will be the same protection for workers here as in the Republic of Ireland. Scotland’s workforce will also be fully protected from April 2006 and we will keep up the pressure on our politicians to make sure that no time is wasted implementing the ban here.”
Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún also welcomed the announcement.
"I am extremely pleased by today's decision. It now means that workplaces in the whole of Ireland will be smoke free and that can only be a positive development for the long-term health of employees and patrons," the former Health Minister said.
Over the summer, results of a public consultation in Northern Ireland showed that 91% of those questioned were in favour of a total ban.
The announcement comes as medical researchers stated that a smoking ban in the Republic of Ireland was protecting bar workers.
(MB/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be largely dry with patchy cloud and sunny spells through the day. Perhaps the odd shower in the north. Strong southwesterly winds, easing later. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying dry with clear spells through this evening. Clouding over later in the night with rain arriving from the southwest during the early hours. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
