28 Jun 2005

Today’s announcement by Minister Shaun Woodward of a partial ban on smoking in workplaces will only mean partial protection for workers.

Dr Jane Wilde, Director of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland stated:

“We welcome that the minister is considering a complete ban and would strongly urge him to do so as a complete ban is the only way to protect the health of all workers in Northern Ireland.

It is clear from the direct action taken by Scotland, Norway, Italy and Ireland that strong leadership for health is needed.  There is strong support among the public for a total ban.  The Institute of Public Health calls for the Minister to move now on implementing a complete ban.

We call for elected politicians in Northern Ireland to make their voices and those of their constituents heard, to ensure the equal right to health for all our workers.”

Notes to editors:
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland’s response to the DHSSPS consultation is available on our website.

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland
The Institute of Public Health has been set up to identify and develop practical advantages from building greater co-operation for public health between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  We work in four areas; policy advice, information surveillance, research and capacity building and our objective is to tackle inequalities in health and improve the health of the public.

The Institute is one of 36 statutory, private and voluntary organisations who have joined forces to urge the public to protect the health of all workers and vote for a smokefree Northern Ireland.

For further information contact
Arlene McKay
Communications Officer
Institute of Public Health in Ireland
Tel: +44 (28) 90 648494/ 07734 903944
Email: arlene.mckay@publichealth.ie