Publicans face losing licences

Publicans who fail to implement the workplace smoking ban after it comes into effect on Monday could lose their licences.

Health Minister Micheál Martin confirmed yesterday that health boards and other bodies would have the right to object to a licence renewal if the publican failed to make an effort to implement the ban.

Mr Martin also said that publicans should call gardaí if their customers refuse to comply with the ban, a move that has angered the Garda Representative Association, which said implementing the measure was not a function of the Garda.

The GRA also said gardaí could not be expected to enforce the ban when they didn’t have the resources to tackle serious crimes.