Sacked Fine Gael justice spokesman John Deasy could be fined up to €3,000 for defying the new smoking ban, it emerged tonight.

The smoking ban which came into force today will have a huge impact on the health and lives of thousands nationwide, Health Minister Micheál Martin said.

The traditional smoky Irish pub was officially consigned to the past today as a blanket ban on smoking in the workplace came into force.

SINCERE congratulations to Micheál Martin, our admirable Health Minister, for his firm stance against that noxious tobacco weed and the establishment of the ‘Office for Tobacco Control’(OTC).

ON behalf of the Irish Cancer Society, I acknowledge and welcome the support that the Taoiseach has publicly indicated for Minister Martin’s proposed ban on smoking in the workplace and his indication that there would be no compromise on the draft legislation.

VINTNERS claim that next year's ban on smoking in pubs will be unworkable and accuse Health Minister Micheál Martin of overreacting.

THE Government was last night urged to hold firm in the face of a constitutional challenge to tough anti smoking legislation launched by nine tobacco and related companies.