The Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) has urged publicans to begin preparations for the introduction of the workplace smoking ban which takes place in just three weeks' time, writes Joe Humphreys.
Summaries of guidelines for the licensed trade were posted last Friday to 15,000 premises throughout the State, along with sample "no smoking" signs which the OTC wants displayed from the start date of the ban on March 29th.
Ms Valerie Robinson, the OTC's director of communications, recommended that owners and managers should begin briefing staff about procedures for dealing with non-compliant customers. In addition, she said, "we are encouraging people to put up general posters to highlight for customers that this is coming in".
The guidelines, which are due to be officially published this week, spell out the obligations of licence-holders under the Public Health (Tobacco) acts 2002 and 2004. They say employers and managers should make "all reasonable efforts" to ensure there is no smoking on their premises. Recommended "minimum" actions include developing and implementing a smoke-free policy, displaying the required "no smoking" signs, removing all ashtrays, and refusing service to individuals who are smoking.
The "no smoking" signs have to be conspicuously displayed, and include the name of the owner or manager of the premises to whom a complaint can be made. A series of new radio advertisements, sponsored by the OTC, are to begin today, aimed at raising awareness about the introduction of the ban.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, yesterday ruled out the possibility of an area of Leinster House being exempted from the ban, as suggested last week by a Fianna Fáil backbencher.
Mr John Dennehy TD suggested that a designated smoking area be created because of the absence of an outdoor attachment to the Dáil bar or restaurant. The legislation exempts premises, or parts of premises, "wholly uncovered by any roof whether fixed or moveable".
Under the guidelines issued to publicans, staff are advised to take a seven-step approach to non-compliant customers. If customers continue to smoke after being advised not to, "you are entitled to refuse service and should immediately request that they leave the premises", the guidelines run.
"If the customer refuses, implement normal procedure for anti-social/illegal behaviour in the premises. Maintain an appropriate record of all such incidents and notify all staff of action taken. In all cases where physical violence is threatened or encountered, notify and/or seek the assistance of the Gardaí."
