The workplace ban on smoking will come into effect nearly four weeks later than originally planned and will not affect those working in private dwellings, it was announced this evening.
The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin today published the Tobacco Smoking (Prohibition) Regulations 2003, which will see smoking in all workplaces - most controversially bars and restaurants - banned.
The Minister moved today to head off a number of problem areas of the ban such as how it would affect places of detention such as prisons and psychiatric units, where medical opinion is divided on whether the ban should be implemented.
"The primary purpose in introducing this important new health measure is to allow people to work and socialise in clean healthy smoke free environments," Mr Martin said.
Mr Martin said he was considering a separate measure to reflect the "unique circumstances pertaining to prisons and places of detention" and was consulting relevant agencies.
He also re-iterated that the expert advice he had received indicated that ventilation technology is ineffective at removing the risk to health.
Lobby groups for hoteliers and publicans are vehemently opposed to the ban but had suggested that the appropriate ventilation systems coupled with a ban on smoking at the bar would be a reasonable compromise.
Politically, the ban had been opposed within Fianna Fáil in particular but Minister Martin received the support of Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and most TDs now accept the ban will be implemented. It has received the support of the other parties.
An implementation committee has been established to assist employers, employees and the public in observing the regulation and will co-ordinate a public information campaign.