The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has given his strongest backing yet to the proposed ban on smoking in the workplace, saying the Government had to tackle the health implications of smoking.
Mr Ahern dismissed suggestions that the ban would deter people from going to pubs and restaurants.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin this morning, he said: "There is no compromise on the issue that smoking in the workplace is something that the government is going to ban."
From January 2004 it will be illegal to smoke in any workplace - including pubs and restaurants.
In recent weeks a group representing the hospitality sector has stepped up a campaign to overturn the ban, calling for a compromise.
All that was now required was the finalisation of details of the directive.
"The government's point is that smoking in the workplace is not good," Mr Ahern said.
He said medical experts had proven "beyond doubt" that passive smoking was bad for people's health.
"We have to protect people in the workplace," he added.
"I don't really believe the economic argument that everyone is going to give up drinking and eating and going into pubs.
"I heard all that 20 years ago when we heard smoking wasn't going to be allowed on planes."
The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, said on Thursday no compromise no compromise or delay of any kind will be allowed in the introduction of the blanket ban on smoking in the workplace which is due to come into force in January.
He rejected compromise proposals from publicans to limit the blanket pub smoking ban.
"There is no room for compromise or delay when it comes to such a serious health issue," he said.
Publicans had called for a two-year delay in the full ban, and the introduction of a partial one, including a prohibition on smoking at the bar counter and for pubs to become 50 per cent smoking and 50 per cent non-smoking.