The Taoiseach said today he is confident that the smoking ban will provide a "health legacy", for current and future generations who will never know what it was like to work in an enclosed smoke-filled environment.
Mr Ahern described the ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces that is due to be introduced at midnight as a "progressive health and safety measure, which will have positive benefits for workers and the general public alike."
Mr Ahern said he was pleased that the way is now clear to enforce anti-smoking legislation, which he says has the "overwhelming support of the majority of people in Ireland, smokers and non-smokers alike."
He said most people have made up their minds on the issue and expect that the Government will take the steps necessary to deal with the problem.
"The bottom line is that regular exposure to second hand tobacco smoke, in enclosed workplaces, is a cause of ill health, which is actually preventable," Mr Ahern said.