Legislation changes ‘will not delay smoking ban’

THE Department of Enterprise last night insisted the smoking ban can be policed by Health and Safety Authority inspectors even if new health and safety legislation is required.

Concern arose over the weekend that policing the ban, which is due to start on February 11 or 12, would be delayed as the Attorney General ruled that new safety legislation might be required to define secondary smoke as a carcinogen.

However, a spokesman for Minister Frank Fahey last night said the ban could go ahead even without the health and safety regulations which have not yet been written.