Sir, – Most county councils have implemented or intend to implement smoke-free policies in their parks. According to the Department of the Environment, cigarette litter accounts for 50 per cent of all litter which is why the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland recommends an environmental levy on tobacco products.
Another compelling reason why we need to get smoking out of sight in public places is de-normalisation. In order to protect children from tobacco addiction, we must take every opportunity to communicate the message that smoking is not normal behaviour. The Government’s vision of a tobacco-free Ireland includes smoke-free public parks and children’s playgrounds as well as smoke-free campuses around other public facilities. This approach is being implemented successfully in other countries such as the UK, Canada and Australia.
Over the years, strong tobacco control policies, supported by politicians of all parties, have served this country very well.
Would it not be a powerful gesture on the part of our legislators if they decided to make Leinster House a smoke-free campus? – Yours, etc, Dr PAT DOORLEY Chair of the Policy Group on Tobacco, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin 2.