Martin must not give in to hypocrisy

OF the many controversies engulfing the Coalition, the proposed ban on smoking was always going to be one of the most explosive.

But it is deeply ironic that most of the political flak being aimed at Health Minister Micheál Martin is emanating from his fellow Fianna Fáil ministers and backbenchers, sparking opposition charges of rampant hypocrisy in this increasingly unpopular administration.

Due to come into effect on January 1, the fundamental aim of the ban is to help tackle Ireland’s chronic cancer crisis by outlawing smoking in the workplace. Among key targets are the country’s pubs where passive smoking is seen as a major contributory factor to one of the most serious health problems facing the nation.