Smoking group takes issue with care centre ban

A GROUP representing smokers has hit out a tobacco-free policy that is to be introduced in the grounds of eight Northside primary care centres.

Forest Ã?ireann, which represents smokers throughout Ireland, criticised the HSE after it announced that from September 1 it will no longer be possible to smoke anywhere on the grounds of its health centres at North Strand, Summerhill, Millmount (Drumcondra), Ballygall (Glasnevin), Cabra, Roselawn, Hartstown and Wellmount (Finglas).

People will no longer be permitted to smoke in areas such as the entrances, doorways, walkways, car parks, cars and bicycle shelters.

The policy will apply to all staff, clients, contractors and anyone who enters the grounds of the health centre. The HSE believes the move will

“ensure a healthier, safer and cleaner environment for all

?.

The policy also applies to the use of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigs, as they are commonly known.

The HSE said that as a major provider of health care in the community, Dublin North City Primary Care Services was striving to create a healthy environment for service users, employees, students, visitors, volunteers and all those who visit their campuses.

Miriam Gunning, Health Promotion Officer at the HSE, said that introducing the Tobacco Free Campus policy provides an environment that promotes health and supports those who want to stop smoking.

“This policy is already implemented in all the acute hospitals and it is important that this positive message is continued in all primary care services,

? Ms Gunning told Northside People.

“We are not telling anyone that they must stop smoking, but we are asking people not to smoke on our campus.

“Stopping smoking, at any age, is the single most important thing a person can do to improve their health and we are very pleased to be able to provide such an environment that is supportive of anyone who wishes to do that.

?

The HSE added that as part of its National Tobacco Control Framework, it is committed to making all its workplaces and campuses tobacco-free by 2015.

Forest Ã?ireann, which describes itself as

“the voice and friend of the smoker in Ireland

?, was launched in August 2010. It represents the views of consumers who choose to smoke, are aware of the health risks, and

“are fed up being treated like children

?.

John Mallon, spokesperson for Forest Ã?ireann, said that in debates on smoking and tobacco it must be remembered that neither is illegal.

“Even the most vehement anti-smoker will always concede that people have the right to choose to smoke if they so wish,

? Mr Mallon told Northside People.

“What is never addressed either are the reasons that some people do smoke. If you enjoy them as a part of your day they are mildly pleasurable, they aid relaxation and a cigarette with friends has been traditionally associated with social contact face-to-face.

“The pleasure association of nicotine intake is akin to that of caffeine in that both excite the dopamine receptors of the brain, which are the pleasure zones.

?

Mr Mallon said all of the evidence-based restrictions so far are based on alleged risks of secondhand smoke in an indoor setting.

“There is simply no medical or scientific evidence of a risk to third parties with smoking in an outdoor setting,

? he stated.

“Therefore, the HSE’s policy to ban smoking outdoors is not being mooted on either medical nor scientific grounds.

“Bearing in mind that the evidence against smoking is based on the smoke itself from a lighted cigarette, how can they also possibly consider banning e-cigarettes?

“An e-cig is not lit, does not produce smoke of any kind and does not contain tobacco either. Like the pharmaceutical nicotine replacement products, the e-cig dispenses a mild dose of nicotine to the user.

“Far from banning e-cigs the HSE should be encouraging their use along with their promotion of the chemist shop products.

“Using the excuse that they ‘look like’ smoking is akin to suggesting that a glass of water looks like vodka.

“It is because they look and act like a cigarette that they have become more popular.

“As an analogy, they are like grape juice instead of wine. The grape juice may not offer the same taste or bang as a full bodied wine, but it is the same colour, can be poured into a stem glass and is acceptable to sip with a nice meal.

?

Mr Mallon added:

“This move by elements in the HSE demonstrates how utterly out-of-touch they are with the realities of ordinary people on the ground.

?