Hefty fines handed out for breaches of smoking ban

THOUSANDS of euro in fines have been handed out to businesses and private individuals found guilty of breaching the smoking ban, with one pub being hit with a huge €2,500 penalty in the past 12 months.

New figures revealed by the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) show that last year a total of 25 people were brought to court due to anti-smoking legislation offences.

Of these people, 19 were convicted under the smoking in the workplace act, resulting in fines of between €500 and €2,500.