One-in-seven pubs in breach of smoking ban

ONE-IN-SEVEN pubs inspected by health officials last year were found to be in breach of the smoking ban.

The latest annual report of the Office of Tobacco Control has revealed that only 86% of licensed premises were found to be in compliance with laws governing smoke-free workplaces.

A total of 1,217 pubs were found to be in breach of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts during almost 8,500 inspections last year, although the figure may include some premises which were visited more than once.