"Having a highly educated and skilled workforce is integral to our competitive economy but so too is having a safe and healthy labour force."- Mr Frank Fahey, Minister of State for Labour Affairs
The 70 per cent of bar workers and patrons, who do not smoke, can now work in or visit a public house without having to inhale other people's smoke. - Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
"The ban on smoking in public places is crucial in an effort to reduce these unnecessary deaths."- Dr Joe Barry of the Irish Medical Organisation
"Passive smoking kills. Experts estimate that 150 Irish bar staff die from the effects of passive smoking every year. That is nearly three times the total of deaths through workplace accidents in industries like construction, agriculture and mining." - Louise O'Donnell of IMPACT
"MANDATE believes that there is a duty of care on the Government and employers to ensure that the most comprehensive set of proposals available are introduced and enforced in the most stringent manner." - John Douglas of MANDATE
"The Minister has to be applauded by indicating his intention to ban smoking completely from all workplaces by 1 January 2004." - Mr Jim Murphy of the Irish Hotels' Federation
"We believe a total ban on smoking is an over-reaction and clean-air solutions provide a workable alternative." - Mr Tadg O'Sullivan of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland"Whilst I welcome the Report on the Health Effects ofEnvironmental Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace, Minister Martin has been promising action on smoking in public places for so long that I am surprised its findingshave not been implemented already." - Ms Liz McManus of the Labour Party