The second anniversary of the introduction of the workplace smoking ban was marked yesterday with anti-tobacco campaigners welcoming it as "hugely successful" because of the support of the general public.
Prof Luke Clancy, chairman of Ash Ireland, noted that the introduction of the ban here had been followed by several other countries. He expressed confidence that an EU-wide ban would now be possible.
Last weekend, Scotland introduced a smoking ban, following other countries such as Italy and Norway.
"The introduction of the ban has been hugely successful because the Irish people have promoted it," Prof Clancy said.
"We look forward to an all-Ireland smoke free workplace ban next year and a similar ban to follow in England and Wales.
"Nobody now doubts that an EU-wide ban is possible. What a difference a couple of years can make in such an important health issue. Let's press on with tobacco control."
Donall O'Keeffe, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association, which represents most Dublin pubs, said his members were "getting on with life" after the ban.
"It's a fact of life; we are working with it, have been and will continue to do," he said. "Enforcement and compliance has not been an issue, although there have been isolated incidents."
Trade in the Dublin area had picked up since last autumn, Mr O'Keeffe said, partly due to better access to transport and a slowing down in the move towards home socialising.
Many pubs had also focused on providing food and other facilities, but trade was not back at pre-smoking ban levels, he added.
At the launch of the Office of Tobacco Control's annual report last week, Minister of State for Health Seán Power also revealed that his department intended to ban the sale of packs of 10 cigarettes.
This is intended to target the 20 per cent of 15 to 18-year-olds who smoke.