A number of smokers suffering from tobacco-related illnesses have begun legal proceedings against the State alleging successive governments failed to protect their health, according to reports today.
If the claims are successful the State could be liable for damages worth hundred of millions of euro.
According to today's Sunday Business Post, legal papers have already been lodged following other claims against individual tobacco companies in recent years.
US tobacco companies have had mixed fortunes in fighting class action lawsuits though a number of cases are still pending in federal courts.
The news of the lawsuits may strengthen the hand of the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, who is under pressure from publicans and party colleagues to water down his proposals for a blanket ban on smoking in pubs, restaurants and offices from January 1st next year.
Mr Martin has argued that by not introducing a smoking ban in public places the State could be open to legal proceeding from workers for health problem related to smoke-filled environments such as pubs.