The Minister for Health, Mr Martin said this afternoon that the ban on smoking in the workplace which is due to come into effect at the end of the month will lead to fewer people suffering and fewer premature deaths.
Addressing the Fianna Fáil Ard Fhéis in Dublin, Mr Martin also defended the proposed implementation of the Hanly report on hospital reform which, he said, would ensure for the first time that acute hospitals throughout the State will be maintained and developed.
He also accused the Opposition of opportunism and deliberate misrepresentation on health issues.
He said his critics had to chose between participating in efforts geared towards making health reforms work or to undermine the first serious effort to develop local and regional hospital services.
Mr Martin used the ard fheis to promise new legislation to control the advertising, sponsorship and marketing of alcohol, in an effort to reduce the exposure of young people to alcohol promotion.