The rebellion against the smoking ban looked to have been stubbed out tonight as a string of pubs which had openly defied the law backed down and put their ashtrays away.

“TO SMOKE or not to smoke?” was the question on the lips of punters in Cobh, Co Cork yesterday as confusion reigned in Connie Doolan’s bar.

THE smoking ban laws will be put to their first serious test today after health authorities moved decisively last night to quash the revolt by publicans.

The Galway pub blatantly flouting the smoking ban was given an ultimatum tonight as Health Minister Micheál Martin vowed to crack down on any breaches of the new law.