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.