A group representing publicans refused today to back a landlord’s decision to openly flout the smoking ban.

HEALTH officers will today raid a Galway pub which has become the first to openly flout the smoking ban introduced in March.

GALWAY publicans who claim their business is falling off because of the smoking ban may have to fork out a €3,000 fine for flaunting the law and possibly face losing their licence in an open challenge to health authorities.