Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Lobbying is constant in Europe on different issues. I am sure there is room to lobby on this matter as well. However, it is also true that, across the 27 member states, attitudes to smoking vary widely. Parts of Europe have not made the connection between health and tobacco smoking that we have made. Obviously, their medical experts know, but people on the street do not. The prohibition on smoking in bars and restaurants is nearly universal across Europe. There has been movement, but there is always room for lobbying on these matters.