Smokers face jail for lighting up in pubs

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

Inspectors may use devices for measuring the levels of smoke in pubs when carrying out checks.

The State body enforcing the ban on smoking in the workplace said both the owners of the premises and the person smoking will be committing an offence. The penalties for breaking the law are fines of up to 1,900, up to three months in jail or both.