The Department of Health has denied suggestions that smoking will be banned in public parks and beaches.
It was reported in the Irish Independent on Friday that the move was being considered by the Government as part of its bid to make Ireland tobacco-free.
The Tobacco Free Ireland annual report for 2021 was published earlier this week.
One recommendation in the report says that the Government should “promote tobacco-free environments and in particular parks and beaches in conjunction with the local authorities by voluntary measures or by the introduction of bye-laws”.
However, this recommendation is from the first version of the report launched in 2014.
Updates for 2021 do not reference banning smoking in parks or on beaches.
The report does note, however, that local Authorities in Wexford, Galway, and Meath launched their campaigns that promote smoke-free campuses in playgrounds and parks last year.
Government sources denied on Friday that smoking will be banned in parks and playgrounds.
Well-placed sources told The Mirror that while it was mentioned in the Tobacco Free Ireland report, it has been an ongoing recommendation since the plans have been drawn up.
The Department of Health also quashed the suggestion.
“There are no current plans to legislate for smoke-free outdoor areas,” a spokesperson said.
“Tobacco Free Ireland, our national tobacco control policy, which was approved by Government in 2013, contains recommendations to further develop the tobacco-free playgrounds initiative in conjunction with the local authorities by way of voluntary measures or by the introduction of bye-laws.
“Promote tobacco-free environments and in particular parks and beaches in conjunction with the local authorities by voluntary measures or by the introduction of bye-laws.
“Voluntary local actions are successful. As set out in the 2021 Tobacco Free Ireland Annual Report, the "Not Around Us” Campaign, made up of local groups implementing smoke free spaces in their own areas, has continued to grow.”
The spokesperson added that current tobacco control legislation is under development as part of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill.
This will introduce an annual licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products such as e-cigarettes.
It will also prohibit the sale of nicotine-inhaling products such as e-cigarettes to those under 18. The Government is also moving to ban the sale of disposable vapes.
Before the suggestion of the ban in parks and beaches was shot down by the Department of Health, the idea had been welcomed by the Irish Heart Foundation.
Advocacy Manager Mark Murphy described it as a “first step” towards a tobacco-free future.
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