Publicans have welcomed Government plans to impose fines on anyone caught smoking in pubs when the ban comes into effect next year.

The Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance has reportedly threatened to launch a legal challenge to the Government's proposed all-out ban on smoking in the workplace.

THE smoking ban will go ahead from January 26 next year, but prisons are set to be excluded from the prohibition to prevent security and conduct problems.

The Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance has claiimed the proposal to make private houses subject to the smoking ban could cost householders up to €2,000.

The Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance has criticised Health Minister Micheál Martin for not meeting with bar and restaurant owners during his visit to New York this week.

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin has rejected a call for compromise on the smoking ban, despite an A&L Goodbody Consultants’ report produced yesterday which claims up to 64,000 people could face redundancy as a result of his plans.

Former Irish international rugby star Peter Clohessy added his voice today to growing opposition to a smoking ban due to be introduced in pubs.

The main trade union for bar workers clashed tonight with a campaign to force a Government climbdown over plans to outlaw smoking in the workplace from the start of next year.

A GROUP opposed to the introduction of the smoking ban is commissioning an independent report to assess the economic fallout from the move.

SMOKERS face jail or heavy fines for lighting up in pubs when the ban is imposed on January 1.

The Hospitality Industry Alliance says the proof of its argument against a smoking ban in bars and restaurants will be seen in border counties.

THEY came in their hundreds, even in wheelchairs, with badges, banners and chants, to protest at New York’s strict no-smoking laws which became statewide yesterday.

Warnings that Ireland’s proposed ban on smoking in public places would lead to major job losses were today rejected by the Heart Foundation.

HEALTH MINISTER Micheál Martin is preparing to take on opponents of his pub smoking ban and is getting together his own anti-smoking lobby.

A coalition of interests from across the Irish hospitality sector is taking its fight against the proposed ban on smoking across the Atlantic.