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Smoke Free Workplace
Information about nonsmoker protection:
Smoke Free Workplace
(.pdf-Document, 39,8 kB; update: 07. Nov. 2006)
Experiencing a smoke-free city: Dublin, Ireland
Experiencing the full impact of a total ban on smoking in the workplace will undoubtedly encourage governments in pursuing legislation to create smoke-free public places in their own countries.
In April 2006, national counterparts for the European Strategy for Tobacco Control met in Dublin. The role of each includes conveying the message of World No Tobacco Day within his or her country through special events on 31 May, advertising in the mass media and national nonsmoking campaigns. Personally experiencing a smoke-free environment made a real difference.
Many countries would be happy to emulate the Irish success story. Every day, participants at the national counterparts meeting described their visits to pubs and restaurants in Dublin. Many had been to Ireland before, when smoking was allowed in all workplaces. The difference amazed them: the air was now fresh and clean and it was a pleasure to experience the very special ambiance of an Irish pub: not just the music, not just the craic (chat) but also the air quality.
Supporting compliance
Irish publicans were happy to talk about their experience with the smoking ban. They said that resistance from certain areas, including the licensed trade itself, had been heavy at the start. They believed the ban would result in a fall in business that would threaten their livelihood.
Support materials were provided for this group, and a smoke-free compliance helpline was set up to deal with complaints, queries and information requests. Research shows that these measures resulted in a smooth transition: 97% of premises inspected under the smoke-free workplace legislation were compliant.
Increased custom and happier staff
Not only did the same number of smokers visit pubs/bars and restaurants but the number of non-smoking clients increased slightly.
Staff said they were delighted that they were no longer exposed to second-hand smoke.
New atmosphere
Although the smoking ban in pubs and restaurants was not initially obvious from the outside, a difference immediately became apparent when entering. All over the world patrons have been conditioned to accept smoke in the places where they drink and eat. Finding a smoke-free environment was a shock.
Gradually, however, one notices the stainless steel receptacles placed on walls outside pubs and at various points along the streets in Ireland. These encourage smokers to dispose of their cigarette butts cleanly, rather than dropping them on the pavement or in the gutter.
(Source: World Health Organization, www.who.int)
Information about Tobacco smoke pollution (german version):
Tabakrauchbelastungen in deutschen Gastronomiebetrieben/Fernreisezügen
(.pdf-Document, 878 kB; update: 08. Nov. 2006; Source: www.tabakkontrolle.de)
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