Smoking ban backed by Dept of Health chief

The Chief Medical officer of the Department of Health is re-iterating the importance of the full implementation of the Government proposed ban on smoking in the workplace.

From January 1, smoking will be prohibited in all places of work, to protect employees and the public from exposure to the harmful effects of environmental tobacco smoke.

A group opposing the smoking ban in pubs and restaurants meets in Dublin this afternoon.

The Department of Health is stressing that the ban will reduce the enormous burden that tobacco places on the health of the people of Ireland.