Ireland: The success of the ban on smoking in public indoor spaces 20 years later

On 29 March 2004, the Republic of Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in all indoor public places, including bars and restaurants. Despite initial scepticism and strong opposition, the ban quickly emerged as a huge public health success.

According to a WHO report published in July 2023, only 40 % countries worldwide now have completely smoke-free enclosed public places. According to the WHO analysis, fifty-three countries still have not imposed a total ban on smoking in health care facilities and only half of the countries worldwide have smoke-free private workplaces and restaurants.

A measure welcomed in Ireland which quickly proved effective.

Banning smoking in enclosed spaces not only protects people, both non-smokers and smokers, from exposure to tobacco smoke, but also helps to denormalize tobacco consumption. A survey[1] conducted 8 months after the country's 2004 smoking ban in enclosed public spaces showed strong public support, even among smokers. Support among Irish smokers after the smoking ban came into force increased in all settings, including workplaces (from 43 % to 67 %), restaurants (from 45 % to 77 %) and bars/pubs (from 13 % to 46 %). Overall, 83 % of Irish smokers said the smoke-free law was a "good" or "very good" thing.

In addition, about 46% of Irish smokers reported in 2004 that the Act had helped them quit smoking. Of the Irish smokers who had quit smoking after the Act was passed, 80% said the Act had helped them to do so and 88% said the Act had also helped them to remain smoke-free.

A study published in 2013[2] further showed that the workplace smoking ban in Ireland was associated with immediate reductions in early mortality, with specific benefits observed for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory causes. This study estimated that 3,726 smoking-related deaths were likely avoided in the country as a result of the ban.

Ireland at crossroads again on tobacco control

While Ireland has been a leader in tobacco control over the past 20 years and overall smoking has fallen sharply, for the first time in 25 years there has been a further increase in smoking among 15-16 year olds. The smoking rate for this age group was 41% in 1995. It had fallen to 13% in 2015 but has increased in recent years to over 14%.[3]. The Irish Heart Foundation and other public health experts believe this is most likely due to the gateway effect from vaping to smoking. A survey released in late 2023 indicated that more than a third (36%) of 13-16 year olds reported vaping in the survey. Of these, half had never smoked before and a third reported vaping daily.[4].

The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhalants) Bill, expected to come into force soon, is expected to introduce annual licensing requirements for retailers wishing to sell tobacco products or nicotine inhalants such as e-cigarettes. It will also ban the sale of vapes to under-18s and end the sale of tobacco products and vaping products through vending machines, pop-up shops such as those at music festivals and events aimed at children.

Public health experts say the government should go further and follow the UK's example by making the sale of tobacco and vaping products illegal to anyone born after a certain year, and thus achieve a tobacco- and nicotine-free generation in the coming years.

Keywords: Ireland, smoke ban, smoke-free spaces, restaurants, smoke-free generation, passive smoking, cigarette smoke

©Tobacco Free Generation

AE

[1] Fong GT, Hyland A, Borland R, Hammond D, Hastings G, McNeill A, Anderson S, Cummings KM, Allwright S, Mulcahy M, Howell F, Clancy L, Thompson ME, Connolly G, Driezen P. Reductions in tobacco smoke pollution and increases in support for smoke-free public places following the implementation of comprehensive smoke-free workplace legislation in the Republic of Ireland: findings from the ITC Ireland/UK Survey. Tob Control. 2006 Jun;15 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):iii51-8. doi: 10.1136/tc.2005.013649. PMID: 16754947; PMCID: PMC2593063.

[2] Stallings-Smith S, Zeka A, Goodman P, Kabir Z, Clancy L (2013) “Reductions in Cardiovascular, Cerebrovascular, and Respiratory Mortality following the National Irish Smoking Ban: Interrupted Time-Series Analysis”. PLoS ONE 8(4): e62063. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0062063

[3] Tánaiste hails anniversary of smoking ban as Ireland faces new war against cigs and vapes, Sunday World, published March 23, 2024, accessed March 28, 2024

[4] Tobacco-free generation, Ireland: normalisation of vaping among young adolescents, published on November 8, 2023, consulted on March 28, 2024