A decision by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, to abandon plans for a partial ban on smoking in pubs, hotels and restaurants in favour of outright prohibition, marks a significant advance in terms of public health policy.
What had been proposed, last year, was an inadequate response to a major health threat. Its terms would have been unenforceable and the law would have been brought into disrepute.
A ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants will discommode some people. But opinion polls have suggested that many of those directly involved will not be unhappy at the introduction of a requirement that directly benefits their own health and makes life more pleasant for their neighbours. To put this issue in its proper perspective: only three out of 10 citizens smoke.
The notion that pubs, hotels and restaurants will lose most of their customers, their ambience and whatever culture they aspire to, simply because nicotine addicts may not smoke while they eat and drink, is perverse. The opposite may happen. A growing number of people stay away from pubs because of passive smoking and the smell that attaches to their clothes. They may return. And foreign tourists don't visit Ireland to deliberately damage their health.
Mr Martin will now consult Ireland's EU Commissioner for Health, Mr David Byrne, and notify his officials of the changes proposed. A failure to notify legislative changes affecting the advertising and promotion of tobacco products under an EU Directive last year caused the measures to be struck down in the High Court. This time, there must be no bureaucratic mistakes.
Commissioner Byrne is leading an EU-wide campaign against the tobacco industry and the majority of states, including Ireland, are preparing domestic legislation. Special efforts will be made to protect young people and female victims who, in Commissioner Byrne's words, are seen as "expendable profit-fodder by the tobacco industry."
Tobacco companies have invested heavily to protect their huge profits. And fierce opposition can be expected to the measures, which are due to take effect next January. Representatives of the licensed trade were equally critical and described the approach as "unworkable, unrealistic and unenforceable". But fines and, ultimately, jail terms are powerful deterrents. On the other hand, the State itself may be exposed to claims for damages if it fails to protect the health of workers.
An estimated 7,000 people die from tobacco related illnesses here every year. And a large number of hospital beds are taken up at enormous cost. A ban on smoking in public places is, like the charge for plastic bags, a simple idea. But it will have long-term, positive consequences.