Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

On 26 January next the blanket ban on smoking in the workplace will come into operation. I have no problem with certain restrictions on smoking. The evidence of the damage that smoking, including passive smoking, does is incontrovertible. However, certain aspects of the regulation are over the top. In particular, in the event of somebody deciding to light up in a pub the publican has the full responsibility and may be liable to hefty penalties. It is manifestly wrong that the entire onus for the implementation and enforcement of this should be foisted on publicans. The Minister for Health and Children should come to the House to see if something can be done in advance of 26 January.