Alliance condemns 'get-out clause' in smoking ban

12.12.02pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 27th Sep 2006

Alliance Health Spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy

Alliance Party Health Spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy MLA, has slammed reports that hotels will be offered exemptions to the smoking ban calling it a 'get out clause'. The Health Minister, Paul Goggins, proposed to offer exemptions to the smoking ban for certain hotel rooms.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: "We are totally opposed to the Minister offering some hotels a get out clause on the smoking ban.

"The government must not sidestep this tricky issue. There must be uniformity within this smoking ban to ensure that it easy to enforce.

"Another reason why there must be no exceptions to the smoking ban is that any ambiguity will decrease the success of the ban and will lead to confusion on the matter.

"This is an all or nothing project. There must be a smoking ban in all public buildings to protect the health of those working in these buildings and also the rest of the public. The Minister must take the bull by the horns and ensure that this legislation is not going to be watered down."

ENDS