The levels of carbon monoxide in non-smoking bar workers have decreased by 45 per cent since the introduction of the smoking ban, preliminary results have found.
The Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) today presented the initial results of a study to asses the health impact of the smoking ban in Ireland on the anniversary of the introduction of the law.
The study also found that the decrease in levels of carbon monoxide in bar workers who were ex-smokers was 36 per cent.
Preliminary results of another study found that airborne particle concentrations of PM 2.5 fell by 87.6 per cent and that average levels of the larger PM 10 were reduced by 53 per cent.
Although it is believed that an estimated fall of 15 per cent in tobacco consumption in 2004 can be attributed to the ban on smoking in the workplace, information from the Revenue Commissioners shows tobacco consumption has falling for a number of years.
Tobacco consumption fell by 10 per cent in 2003 and the Revenue Commissioners said it was not possible to state to what extent the this fall in consumption can be attributed to the impact of the smoking ban in the workplace "as other factors may also be influencing consumption trends".
An EU-wide campaign to target teenagers, women and young adults was unveiled in Dublin today by Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney, who said the four-year initiative - HELP - 'For A Life Without Tobacco' - is the first of its kind to run across all 25 EU member states.
Anti-smoking campaigner Professor Luke Clancy
The campaign will focus on smoking prevention, smoking cessation, and the dangers of passive smoking, and it is aimed primarily at 13-17-year-olds and 18-30-year-olds.
Anti-smoking campaigner Prof Luke Clancy told today's launch: "Half of the young people starting to smoke now can expect to die from their addiction.
"On average, they lose 15 years of their life, and suffer many more years of serious ill health before they die," said the respiratory consultant.
"The workplace ban which applies to places of entertainment and recreation should protect them from other people's smoke, but we must do everything we can to help our young people not to start, or to give up smoking."
Welcoming the campaign, Ms Harney said today: "It complements the various campaigns and policies that the Government and health agencies have already undertaken."
"It's particularly timely that it is being launched on the anniversary of the workplace smoking ban in Ireland."
The public awareness and assistance campaign is being directed by the European Commission's Health and Consumers Directorate.
Tobacco accounts for more than 650,000 deaths each year in the 25 EU member states - the single largest cause of death.