HSE: 800,000 smokers quit in 20 years since ban

IN the 20 years since the introduction of Ireland’s workplace smoking ban, 800,000 people have quit smoking, the HSE has said.

On March 29, 2004, the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004, Section 47, made Ireland the first country to ban smoking in all workplaces, bars, and restaurants.

Some 74 countries have followed Ireland’s example, meaning that a quarter of the world’s population live in countries that have complete smoking bans in indoor public places, workplaces, and on public transport, say the WHO.

Smoking rates in Ireland are down from 27% in 2004 to 18% in 2023, with a reduction of smoking rates among children from 19% in 2004 to 5% today.

The smoking ban was championed by the then minister for health, Micheál Martin, and the Tánaiste describes the day it came in as “one of the most important and memorable in my political career”.

“While it was viewed as a controversial measure at the time and faced stiff opposition, the positive impact that the smoking ban has had on public health in Ireland is clear,” said Mr Martin.

“Over the past two decades, smoking rates have reduced significantly, particularly among children. Hundreds of thousands of people have given up smoking since 2004.

“We have continued to push ahead with measures to combat smoking, because, simply, there is nothing good about this habit. It is addictive, it is lethal, and I have yet to meet a smoker who is happy that they started.”

Mr Martin said that the country now faces new, worrying challenges posed by vaping.

“[Health] Minister Donnelly has taken important steps to ban the sale of vapes to children and is examining further measures to address these challenges,” said Mr Martin.

“As we mark this anniversary, we remain focused on measures that put the health of our population first, that protect future generations, and that will bring us closer to our goal of a tobacco-free Ireland.”

Mr Donnelly said he congratulated every smoker who took the first step toward quitting and toward a healthier life for themselves and others.

“Smokers do not need to go it alone,” he said.

“The HSE Quit service is there to provide advice and support.”

• For more information, see quit.ie.