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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY THE CONNÉTABLE OF ST. LAWRENCE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 11th MAY 2010
Question
"How many prosecutions, if any, have there been since the introduction of smoking restrictions in both the workplace and restaurants and bars in the Island?"
Answer
During the three years since the smoking ban was introduced, the Health Protection Service has not had to commence legal proceedings against any individual or business. The Tobacco Enforcement Officer worked on the principle of persuasive compliance; an approach which has proved very successful. The Tobacco Enforcement Post was subsequently cut last year.
In respect of licensed premises there was a seamless move to non-smoking and although there were many unannounced visits throughout the initial few months, unlike the UK there were no infractions of the law and the legislation has been very well received.
A number of infractions of smoking in commercial vehicles have been noted and the Health Protection Department has written to business leaders and secured compliance with the law. In the case of two taxi infractions, these were raised with Driver and Vehicle Standards, at their request, and the matter has been fully resolved.
The smoking prevalence has decreased over the last eight years dropping from 29% to 19% in adults and from 35% to 20% for teenagers. The smoking ban has been a part of the successful fight against death and disease caused by tobacco; the island's most important cause of premature death. During the months following the smoking ban, there was a 17% drop in heart attack admissions to Jersey General Hospital.