A majority of adults would not ask a smoker to stop smoking in a pub when the ban becomes effective in January, a survey has shown.
The survey, conducted by a group representing businesses that provide vending machines to pubs, showed 72 per cent of people would not challenge a smoker and more than half believe the proposed smoking ban is excessive.
The Irish Cigarette Machine Operators Association (ICMOA) commissioned the survey to investigate attitudes towards the introduction of the ban and to assess how the image of bars, pubs and clubs will change with the introduction of such a ban.
The survey, conducted by Lansdowne Market Research, found safety to be of primary concern with 68 per cent of females concerned over leaving a drink unattended while stepping outside to smoke a cigarette.
It also found and that more men were concerned over personal safety when standing outside a pub.
Of the 1,200 surveyed, the research found that younger adults in general are more concerned about the effects of a ban, believing it will particularly affect venues' atmospheres, as well as business turnover and violence levels on the street.
Almost half of adults surveyed believe that hoteliers and publicans business will be adversely affected.
Two out of three respondents to the survey believed an effective ventilation system and separate smoking and non-smoking areas would be a better alternative to a total ban.