No-smoking premises identified
11 Mar 05
Executive publishes draft lists of places to be covered by, and exempt from, smoking ban
Draft regulations that will govern the Bill seeking to introduce legislation to control smoking in public places have been published for consultation. Responses are invited by Thursday 26 May.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said that where exemptions were proposed, the Executive would ensure that there were smoke-free policies in place for those residents, staff and visitors who wanted to be in a smoke-free environment.
He commented: "The regulations out for consultation set out exactly what we intend to be the effect of the bill and clarify the very few places which we think should be exempt.
"We welcome comments on these, but I have made it perfectly clear in the past that we intend that exemptions would only be made on humanitarian grounds and in respect of people's homes. This legislation needs to be as comprehensive as possible in order to be effective."
The premises to be classed as "no-smoking" under the regulations are:
Hotels, restaurants, bars and public houses Club premises Shops and shopping centres Hospitals, hospices and health centres Creches, day nurseries, day centres and other premises used for the day care of children or adults Libraries, archives, museums and galleries Cinemas, concert halls, theatres, bingo halls, casinos, dance halls, discotheques and other premises used for the entertainment of members of the public Halls and any other premises used for the assembly of members of the public for social or recreational purposes Conference centres, public halls and exhibition halls Premises used for, or in connection with, public worship or religious instruction, or the social or recreational activities of a religious body Sports centres Public toilets Offices, factories and other premises or vehicles in which more than one employee works Educational institutions Premises used as a broadcasting studio or film studio or for the recording of a performance with a view to its use in a programme service or in a film intended for public exhibition Premises providing secure accommodation services Airport passenger terminals and any other public transportation facilities, and Public transportation vehicles. The exemptions cover residential premises; adult care homes; adult hospices; psychiatric hospitals and units; oil rigs; private vehicles; designated hotel bedrooms; and designated police rooms.
The Executive has also published the regulatory impact assessment of how the planned legislation could have an impact on the economy as a whole. It believes that a comprehensive ban would save more lives and be better for the economy than less stringent regulations.