The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today acknowledged the acceptance by Mr Micheál Martin T.D., Minister for Health & Children that hotel bedrooms be granted private residential status within the smoking ban regulations. It stated that together with a strict Code of Practice for implementation, a practical and welcome solution has been attained, in respect of bedrooms, that removes a major concern impacting for the Irish tourism sector, while at the same time protecting the welfare of staff.

According to Jim Murphy, President IHF, the Federation will work closely with the Department of Health & Children and the Office of Tobacco Control, in finalising the appropriate codes of practice for practical implementation of the regulations.

"We will be recommending that our members implement, in as far as is reasonable, the various codes of practice being developed for the implementation of the new regulations," says Mr Murphy. "There is no doubt that 2004 will be a difficult year for the hospitality industry and for our smoking customers as we all adapt and adjust to this new environment."

"However, we are pleased that the Minister has accepted that hotel bedrooms are, in practice, private residential areas where, in general staff enter only with the permission of the guest. All other countries, which have forms of a smoking ban, allow designated smoking bedrooms in hotels and Ireland will now be in line with this practice."

"Staff are present in hotel bedrooms for a limited period, at times when the room is vacated and we believe the code we have suggested will ensure that during this period there is insignificant, if any, exposure to the harmful effects of cigarette smoke. As employers we are committed to providing a safe work place for employees as well as offering a pleasant environment for our customers to enjoy our product. Our staff are our biggest asset, we obviously wish to protect them, we believe a strong practical code is a constructive measure to protect both the health of our staff and the commercial viability of our product," concludes Mr Murphy.

The proposed IHF Code of Practice submitted to the Minister for Health and Children includes the following provisions:

• Designated smoking bedrooms in hotels
  • Rooms to be clearly marked or
  • Designated smoking floors
• No smoking while staff in bedrooms
• No smoking for 2 hours prior to rooms being serviced
  • Identifying time to be evident in bedrooms
• On entry to bedroom staff member to immediately open window
  • If necessary leave room after opening window and return 30 minutes later to service room.
• On taking order for room service from smoking room staff to advise guest to refrain from smoking until after room service delivery.
  • Alternatively hand room service tray to guest at entrance door to room

FOR INFORMATION:
Siobhan Molloy/Niamh Boylan Tel: (01) 676 01 68 or 086 817 50 66
Weber Shandwick FCC