EVEN the most sacred of places for those who still smoke the pub will soon be legally obliged to have smoke free zones. By May restaurants which meet new ventilation standards set by the health boards will have to designate at least 25 per cent of seating to non smokers. If restaurants do not meet the new standards, half their seating will have to be set aside for non smokers.
Smoking is now prohibited in public offices, meeting rooms and corridors of all buildings owned or occupied by the State or State agencies. It is banned in pre schools, play groups, schools and colleges. It is also banned in all areas where food is being prepared or sold over the counter.
But a dispute between environmental health officers and the Department of Health means the anti smoking legislation will not yet be enforced in public offices.
The dispute has meant that the legislation is not being enforced by the State's 200 environmental health officers, who are members of IMPACT.
According to their spokesman Mr Peter McLoone they are refusing to implement any public health legislation which came into force since 1981, the date of their last pay review.
Since January smoking is prohibited in doctors' and dentists' waiting rooms. Indoor sports centres, the games area in bowling alleys and bingo halls are also no go areas for smokers.
On all buses and on the DART and Arrow train services, it is an offence to smoke. It is also forbidden in taxis and hackney cabs.
For the last five years smoking has been banned in cinemas, theatres and concert halls, all State owned galleries and museums as well as public libraries.
Under the Tobacco (Health Promotion and Protection Regulations 1995) anyone prosecuted for smoking in a no smoking area is liable on conviction to a fine of £100.