A bold step at home on the way to a tobacco-free society
LARA BRADLEY
THE smoking ban has had a knock-on effect on habits in the home, with more people now forbidding smoking in their household.
A study by the HSE has found that 50 per cent of people did not allow smoking anywhere in their home last year, compared to just 42 per cent in 2002 before the ban on smoking in the workplace.
Similarly, the number allowing smoking in selected rooms dropped from 28 per cent to 25 per cent.
Research officer David Evans said: “People are now more aware of the dangers of passive smoking, and the attitudes of both smokers and non-smokers have changed.”
Smokers are increasingly choosing to go outside to smoke when visiting the homes of non-smoking friends, and half of smokers have even banned smoking in their own home.
But while the ban has given some non-smokers the confidence to ask smokers not to smoke in their home, others lack the confidence to do so.
Mr Evans said: “Thirty-seven per cent of people who allowed smoking in their homes told us they would prefer their homes to be smoke-free, but they lacked the assertiveness skills necessary to insist upon it.”
But concerns have been raised about those who believe they are protecting the health of their family by restricting smoking to just one part of the home.
Mr Evans said: “A recent scientific test showed that of the 2,500 cigarettes which were smoked in one room in a house, the smoke of 400 cigarettes got upstairs into a child’s bedroom, turning her into an involuntary smoker.
“The smoking ban has had a positive effect, but there is no room for complacency,” he said. “Smoking is still allowed in 50 per cent of homes and that is a major public health issue. We have come a long way towards promoting atobacco-free society and we have taken a bold step ahead of other countries, but we need to build on that and make sure Ireland stays at the top on this issue.”
