» Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is considered to be the most significant indoor air pollutant because of its prevalence and significant public health impact.

» Only 15% of the smoke from a cigarette is inhaled by the smoker. The remaining 85% is released directly into the air.

» Tobacco smoke contains as many as 4,000 chemicals. Many of these are harmful to health and at least 60 are known to cause cancer.

» Three of the main components of tobacco smoke are;
Nicotine - which is an addictive drug,
Tar - which is a cancer causing substance and
Carbon Monoxide - which interferes with the oxygen supply to the heart and blood vessels.

» Environmental Tobacco Smoke is classified as a class A carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency in the USA - similar to Asbestos.

» A European Commission research study found that over 80% of Europeans, over 15 years of age, are exposed to Environmental Tobacco Smoke and inhale the equivalent of one or more actively smoked cigarettes per day.

» It is estimated that 22,000 deaths per annum in the European Union are directly attributable to passive smoking.

» While the link between lung cancer and passive smoking has been accepted for some time, recent medical research has demonstrated an association with heart disease - the single biggest killer in Ireland.

» Passive smoking is a cause of childhood respiratory disease including asthma.

» Studies have shown a direct link between passive smoking and Glue Ear - the most common reason for young children to be admitted to hospital for an operation.

» About one quarter of smokers die prematurely due to smoking and one out of every two smokers will die as result of their habit.

» Studies have shown that a significant number of smokers (up to 40%) prefer to dine in a smoke free atmosphere.

» 7 out of 10 Irish adults are non-smokers.