Smoking extinguished in Irish pubs

Health Minister Micheal Martin is set to announce the major move on Thursday.

It comes as a report by the Office of Tobacco Control and the Health and Safety Authority highlighted the ill-effects of passive smoking.

" A total ban would be unworkable, untenable and unenforceable and ventilation systems are effective in extracting smoke "
Vintners' Federation of Ireland

The report authors are calling for a ban on smoking in all workplaces in the Republic - including bars and restaurants.

The government plan goes beyond proposals it put forward last November, announcing a ban in restaurants and pubs where food was served.

The minister and the bar workers' union, Mandate, are concerned at the effects of passive smoking on staff.

The Vintners' Federation of Ireland said a total ban would be "unworkable, untenable and unenforceable" and that ventilation systems were effective in extracting smoke.

The body said it wanted discussions to find "a realistic solution to protecting the health and safety of staff and customers".

Passive smoking

A spokesman said: "We have two types of customers - smokers and non-smokers.

"Both their needs must be addressed in any future legislation."

Mandate deputy general secretary John Douglas said research had shown that 150 bar workers died in Ireland every year from ill-health caused by passive smoking.

A senior environmental health officer with the Western Health Board said the ventilation systems highlighted by the Vintners' Federation were of limited benefit.

Minister Martin and Minister for Labour Affairs, Frank Fahey, will unveil the officially-commissioned report on the health effects of passive smoking in Dublin.

The report was commissioned after research revealed service industry employees exposed to passive smoking faced a 30% greater risk of contracting heart disease than non-smokers.

" We hope this will be reflected upon by the people in Northern Ireland taking for forward the Tobacco Action Plan "
Louise Ward-Hunter
Action Cancer

The authors also found that the risk of lung cancer from passive smoking was 90 times higher than that of developing cancer due to asbestos in buildings.

It is likely that the government will begin consultations with unions and employers. Such a ban may not come into force for some months yet.

Chief executive of Action Cancer, Louise Ward-Hunter, said she gave the move a "thumbs up" and hoped it would be followed in Northern Ireland.

"We are very excited to see this development," she said.

"Clearly we are hoping the UK government will take this on board.

"We hope this will be reflected upon by the people in Northern Ireland taking for forward the Tobacco Action Plan. There is mounting evidence of the damage caused by environmental tobacco smoking."