Cigarettes and Tobacco News

May 30, 2007 -- The Office of Tobacco Control said it hoped the measure would discourage young people from smoking.

Meanwhile, health chiefs in Northern Ireland have said in the month since smoking in public places was banned there had been 99% business compliance.

The 26 local councils, which monitor and enforce the new law, released the statistics on Thursday.

The figures reveal that of the 17,393 inspections carried out amongst all types of businesses by 266 environmental health staff, only 0.5% where found to be non-compliant for no smoking requirements and 4.5% for no smoking signage.

Northern Ireland Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said people were backing the ban.

"Public support for the smoke-free legislation in Northern Ireland has always been high," he said.

"I am delighted that this has continued through its implementation and I would like to thank everyone for their co-operation - the general public and businesses alike."

There have been actions for non-compliance, with one of the cases reported being a person smoking in a car wash waiting area.

Warnings

A number of verbal warnings have been given and 42 written warnings have also been issued.

Research in the Republic last year indicated that 76% of young people who smoked bought 10-packs of cigarettes.

Up to 77% of these said they would be likely to quit if cigarette prices doubled.

But a spokesman for the Irish smokers rights organisation, Smokers Against Discrimination, said the ban would result in people of all ages smoking more.

The ban on the sale of packets of 10 and cigarette candy comes into effect on Thursday, but Ireland's Department of Health said there would be a period of grace for retailers to allow them to get rid of stocks of 10 packs.

After that, anyone who breaches the ban faces a fine of up to 3,000 euros or up to three months in prison.