Welcome for smoking ban in workplace

Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD welcomed Wednesday's announcement that the ban on smoking in the workplace will commence on 29 March. He described it as "an important advance for workers in terms of the conditions in which they labour and in terms of public health generally".

"I believe the vast majority of smokers as well as non-smokers broadly welcome this ban," he said. "I hope these new regulations will speed up existing social trends, and there is no doubt that the clear and welcome social trend is against smoking as health education and awareness increases. I believe this measure will benefit everybody in the long run."