The first of a series of public meetings discussing a ban on smoking in the workplace that would extend to pubs, nightclubs and restaurants takes place tonight in Sligo.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has organised the meetings to "provide an opportunity" for people to hear the "overwhelming evidence" showing that passive smoking increases the risk of cancer and heart disease, according to Chief Executive Mr Tom Beegan.
Mr Beegan said the HSA wanted to be "aware of all perspectives" before finalising its proposals. He pointed out that close to 7,000 people died in Ireland last year "due to tobacco use".
An independent expert group commissioned by the HSA last year found that people who don't smoke, but work in a smoking environment, increased their risk of lung cancer by between 20 to 30 per cent.
The study also found evidence that passive smoking increases the risk of heart disease in non-smokers by between 25 to 30 per cent.
Last January the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, announced his intention to ban smoking from all places of work from January of 2004.