A new survey has shown overwhelming public support for banning smoking in public places.
The study by the Market Research Bureau of Ireland found that 97 per cent of Irish people believed smoking should be forbidden in childcare facilities and 96 per cent were against it in food shops.
There was also strong support for tighter controls on the sale and promotion of tobacco to youngsters. Only 8 per cent of eight to 17-year-olds were asked for proof of age when buying cigarettes, the survey found.
It showed 89 per cent of smokers and 93 per cent of non-smokers wanted fines for underage sales to be increased.
The chairman of the board of the survey commissioners, the Office of Tobacco Control, Dr Michael Boland, said the survey showed the public believed further Government action was required to control smoking.
"It is a pretty shocking figure. It shows that we need a new system in relation to the sale of cigarettes, particularly to young people," Dr Boland said.
"If only 8 per cent are being asked for identification, then I think we need to create a new framework which would include registration of outlets and licensing of cigarettes. That is the only way this is going to be taken seriously.".
He said the Office would get new powers to tackle the targeting of youngsters by tobacco firms if new laws before the Dáil are passed.