EU expected to endorse Irish smoking ban

THE smoking ban in pubs and restaurants will get the go-ahead from the EU and will be implemented as planned towards the end of February.

Objections were received from a number of countries, including Germany and Luxembourg, to the anti-smoking measures.

A European Commission source said yesterday they have been noted, but will not be any obstacle to Health Minister Micheál Martin's plans to make Ireland the first EU country with such a ban.

The objections received were to the advertising, marketing and point of sales measures in the Bill on smoking on the basis that they would interfere with free trade in the internal market. Germany is Europe's largest cigarette manufacturer. This delayed the Bill for three months, but this has now come to an end, and there can be no further delays.

Mr Martin re-notified the Commission of the changes he intended to make to his smoking ban in public places excluding certain institutions, such as prisons.

The three-month period following notification of this section will be up in early February, and there will be no delay from the EU end.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said Mr Martin will shortly announce the exact date when the pub and restaurant ban will come into force, but it is expected to be toward the end of February.

A spokesperson for Commissioner David Byrne, who has responsibility for health issues, said Ireland's ban was in line with the Commission's recommendations on protecting workers and non smokers from the ill effects of tobacco.