Eddie Cassidy Divisional Organiser Mandate Trade Union Ireland

Smoke free Workplaces A Trade Union View Eddie Cassidy, Divisional Organiser, Licensed Trade Division MANDATE TRADE UNION The Union of Retail, Bar and Administrative Workers

Profile of Mandate Trade Union 40,000 Members – 3 rd largest Union ROI 40,000 Members – 3 rd largest Union ROI members in Bar Trade – mainly Greater Dublin area members in Bar Trade – mainly Greater Dublin area Founded in 1994 – seen as the authoritative voice representing bar workers Founded in 1994 – seen as the authoritative voice representing bar workers Vocal in various campaigns regarding Vocal in various campaigns regarding  extended pub opening hours  liberalization of pub licences  health & safety for bar employees

Why Trade Union Support? Health & Safety at Work Health & Safety at Work No viable alternative ventilation/smoking rooms No viable alternative ventilation/smoking rooms Hospitality Workers most at risk Hospitality Workers most at risk Hospitality workplaces are places of entertainment but also employment Hospitality workplaces are places of entertainment but also employment

Public Awareness and Support - Post Ban 82% support ban 82% support ban 95% say it’s a positive health measure 95% say it’s a positive health measure 90% say it benefits workers 90% say it benefits workers 82% say it benefits everyone 82% say it benefits everyone 78% say experience of restaurants improved 78% say experience of restaurants improved 70% say experience of pubs improved 70% say experience of pubs improved 53% more inclined to eat in pubs 53% more inclined to eat in pubs

One Year On (March 2005) 94% of all workplaces inspected were smokefree 94% of all workplaces inspected were smokefree 93% of all hospitality workplaces inspected were smokefree 93% of all hospitality workplaces inspected were smokefree 98% of people believe that workplaces are healthier 98% of people believe that workplaces are healthier 96% of people believe that smokefree law is a success 96% of people believe that smokefree law is a success 93% of people think the smokefree law is a good idea 93% of people think the smokefree law is a good idea 38 Prosecutions Prosecutions 2005

One Year On from Behind the Bar Levels of Carbon Monoxide have decreased by 45% in non- smoking barworkers (respiratory laboratory, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin – a Study of 81 barworkers pre and post the ban) Levels of Carbon Monoxide have decreased by 45% in non- smoking barworkers (respiratory laboratory, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin – a Study of 81 barworkers pre and post the ban) Bar workers support (TSN/mrbi poll) Bar workers support (TSN/mrbi poll) Pre ban 71% Pre ban 71% Post ban 87% Post ban 87% 87% believed the ban has had a positive impact on their health 87% believed the ban has had a positive impact on their health 82% found it easier to breath 82% found it easier to breath 94% had little or no difficulty enforcing the ban 94% had little or no difficulty enforcing the ban

Compliance Building Dialogue with Employers and Employee Organisations Dialogue with Employers and Employee Organisations Practical Codes of Practice for Employers and specifically for the hospitality industry Practical Codes of Practice for Employers and specifically for the hospitality industry Guidelines for signs and posters for pubs – Mandatory “No Smoking Signage” Guidelines for signs and posters for pubs – Mandatory “No Smoking Signage” Smoke Free Compliance Line (free phone) Smoke Free Compliance Line (free phone) Public debate not anti-smoker but a health and safety issue Public debate not anti-smoker but a health and safety issue 1,353 calls to the compliance line ,353 calls to the compliance line 2005

Public Health (Tobacco) Acts Section 47 Offence for a person to smoke in a specified place Offence for a person to smoke in a specified place Owner, Manager or other person in charge each guilty of an offence where there is a contravention of the Law Owner, Manager or other person in charge each guilty of an offence where there is a contravention of the Law Defence if a person can show they made all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance Defence if a person can show they made all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance

Business Impact Publicans have implemented the ban and many have invested in outdoor smoking facilities Publicans have implemented the ban and many have invested in outdoor smoking facilities Impact of the ban on jobs has been marginal with very few reported job losses attributed solely to the ban Impact of the ban on jobs has been marginal with very few reported job losses attributed solely to the ban Irish Licensed Trade had been going through a difficult period prior to the ban and this has continued Irish Licensed Trade had been going through a difficult period prior to the ban and this has continued Volume bar sales have been in decline since 2001: Volume bar sales have been in decline since 2001: -4.2% year ending % year ending % year ending % year ending 2004

Business Impact (cont’d) Main factors impacting on bar trade Increased Price Competition – Supermarkets and Off-Licences Increased Price Competition – Supermarkets and Off-Licences Change in lifestyles Change in lifestyles Level of indebtedness of the Irish population Level of indebtedness of the Irish population High level of excise duty on alcohol in Republic of Ireland High level of excise duty on alcohol in Republic of Ireland Smoking ban Smoking ban