Research estimates 3,700 lives were saved over the first four years of the workplace smoking ban 

AS many as 3,700 lives were saved in the first four years of the workplace smoking ban, campaigners marking its 20th anniversary have claimed.

Smoking in workplaces was outlawed in Ireland on March 29, 2004, the first such ban in the world, as a result of legislation spearheaded by the then health minister, Micheál Martin.

Research, carried out by Brunel University in London, Dublin Institute of Technology, University College Cork, and the Tobacco Free Research Institute Ireland, has estimated that 3,700 lives were saved in the four years, or 2.7 a day following the introduction of the ban.

The ban resulted in an immediate 26% reduction in ischaemic heart disease and a 32% drop in strokes.

Mr Martin was joined at Government buildings earlier this week by representatives of the Irish Heart Foundation, ASH Council, and other organisations involved in the ban’s initiation, ahead of its Good Friday anniversary.

Landmark

Mr Martin said the landmark public-health measure, which outlawed smoking inside every workplace including pubs and restaurants, was one of the “most memorable and significant moments” of his political career.

“At the time, there was huge opposition to the smoking ban and doubts over whether it would ever succeed, particularly in our hospitality industry,” Mr Martin said. “The decision sparked ferocious debate in what was the first real discussion on public health in Ireland.

“Shortly after its introduction, it came to be viewed as an important protective measure for the health of workers in every sector. It was clear that the general public wanted it.

“Despite its success, we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent when it comes to the war on smoking. Tobacco, along with the new threat of vaping, is continuing to cause huge damage to people in this country.”

Important

Chris Macey, director of advocacy and patient support with the Irish Heart Foundation, described the ban as “one of the most important pieces of legislation” ever introduced.

“As countries across the world followed suit, the life-saving impact of the law is beyond measure.”

Mr Macey warned, however, that two decades on, Ireland must pursue “bold and ambitious measures” on tobacco and vape control.

“Tobacco is still responsible for 4,500 deaths a year in Ireland, while an e-cigarette epidemic is responsible for driving nicotine addiction among young people.

“Smoking rates among teenagers are increasing for the first time in a generation, most likely due to the gateway effect from vaping,” Mr Macey said.

The Irish Heart Foundation said the Government should raise the legal age for the sale of tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21.

Ireland, Mr Macey said, also needed to follow UK proposals, which would make it illegal for anyone born after a certain year to buy tobacco, something which could be achieved by raising the legal age for its sale by one year, every year.

“Ireland can become a tobacco and nicotine-free society, but only bold, ambitious measures can achieve this reality,” he said.