Ireland pioneering anti-smoking laws

Five European countries have adopted smoking bans since Ireland first pioneered the move two years ago today.

Last weekend, Scotland became the latest to stub out the weed, following Italy, Malta, Norway and Sweden.

Anti-smoking groups marking the second anniversary today have boasted that the number of smokers in Ireland have plummeted from 31% of the population in 1998 to 23% last year.

The Health Department now plans to outlaw packs of ten cigarettes to target the 20% of 15-18 year-olds who currently smoke.

The Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) found that 95% of the 35,043 premises it inspected in 2005 were in compliance with the legislation.

A total of 38 pubs were prosecuted for breaches.

Former Health Minister Micheál Martin pushed in the ban in March 2004 despite stringent opposition from publicans and tobacco firms.

Over a dozen delegations from countries like Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia visited Ireland during 2005 to study the law in operation.