Office of Tobacco Control finds 97% compliance with smoke-free workplace legislation

Research indicates levels of visits to pubs and restaurants remain constant with one in five smokers choosing not to smoke at all when out socialising

The Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) has today (Monday, 31 May 2004 – World No Tobacco Day) published a report on its website that shows that 97% of premises inspected under the smoke-free workplace legislation have been found to be compliant with the law.  Welcoming the report, the Minister for Health and Children, Micheál Martin TD, said that “the successful introduction of the new measure reflects the widespread public support and goodwill that exists for a healthy smoke-free environment in the workplace."

The OTC’s Chief Inspector, Dave Molloy, said that this report is based on the first month of operation of the new law, from 29 March to 30 April last and gives an overview of the national picture, with particular reference to the hospitality sector.  Mr Molloy explained that the report comprises of data from three sources: the National Tobacco Control Inspection programme; the smoke-free workplace compliance line and market research on public attitudes and behaviours.

“The OTC has a statutory responsibility to co-ordinate a national inspection programme in respect of the new law.  As part of its remit the Office, in conjunction with the health boards, has developed a framework for the national inspection programme to ensure the consistent enforcement of tobacco control legislation.  The data gathered through the programme enable measurement of compliance levels, highlight best practice and will assist in targeting resources and setting priorities for the future,” Dave Molloy said.

“The key findings from the available data are that national compliance levels are high with 97% of premises inspected being compliant in respect of the smoking prohibition (i.e. no one smoking and no evidence of smoking in contravention of the law) and 87% compliant with the requirements for ‘No Smoking’ signage.

“In response to concerns expressed by the licensed trade much of the compliance building effort and support materials were directed specifically at this sector and this is reflected in the statistics.  Sixty six per cent of the inspections related to licensed premises with compliance levels of 96% for the smoking prohibition and 89% in respect of the requirement for ‘No Smoking’ signage.”

In relation to the Smoke-Free Compliance Line (1890 333100), which has been in operation by the OTC since 29 March, Dave Molloy explained that in the five-week period from 29 March to the 2 May last, a total of 1,524 calls were made to the compliance line.

“These included complaints, queries and information requests. Complaints accounted for 677 calls or 44% of the total.  Over half of these calls (827 or 54%) were received in the first week with a steady decline in call volumes since (104 or 6% of the total in week five).”

Dave Molloy said that though the volume of calls has declined, the lo-call service would continue in operation as an additional support in maintaining compliance levels.  However, the opening hours for the service will be reduced.  It will operate from 8 am to 10 pm, Monday to Saturday and, outside of these hours an answering service will be available on 1890 333100.  Turning to the final part of the report, Mr Molloy explained that it consists of the findings from market research conducted by TNS mrbi on public attitudes and behaviours in respect of the new law. 

“Two surveys were conducted a month apart – one at the end of March prior to the introduction of the new law and the other at the end of April.  The research indicates that the number of non-smokers visiting pubs/bars has increased slightly since the introduction of the new law, while the number of smokers visiting has remained the same. 

“The surveys also demonstrate that the key benefits of smoke-free laws are being achieved in that people can work and socialise in smoke-free environments.  The vast majority of workers (96%) surveyed report that their workplace is not smoky while the percentage of those who felt the pub/bar most recently visited was smoky dropped from 52% to 2%.  Significantly, the TNS mrbi research shows that almost one in five smokers chose not to smoke at all when out socialising.  Finally, the survey supports the evidence from the inspection programme, with the percentage of smokers reporting having smoked inside a pub/bar being 1% for April,” Dave Molloy concluded.