Half of Irish people say in a new survey that they have never smoked, compared to 45 per cent in 2002.
A EU-wide survey published by the European Commission to mark today's "World No Tobacco Day" shows that Irish smokers consume an average of 17 cigarettes every day. This is the fourth highest number per day in the EU, behind only the Portuguese, Greeks and Cypriots.
The proportion of Irish people who say they have given up smoking is unchanged since 2002 at 19 per cent. Some 54 per cent of Irish smokers consume more than 15 cigarettes per day, although the survey notes the number of smokers who say they smoke regularly has fallen to 84 per cent, down from 91 per cent three years ago when the last EU-wide survey was compiled.
The Eurobarometer poll of 25,000 people in the EU also found strong support for bans on smoking in pubs, restaurants and public places in the Republic. Some 82 per cent of Irish people were "totally in favour" or "somewhat in favour" of a ban on smoking in pubs. Just 17 per cent were opposed to the ban in pubs.
This ranked the Republic behind only Sweden (82 per cent) and Italy (88 per cent) in their support for bans in pubs and bars. Irish people also strongly support bans in restaurants and other indoor public places (airports and shops), recording positive scores of 79 per cent and 88 per cent respectively.
In the EU, four out of five people support a ban on smoking in their workplaces, shops and other indoor and outdoor spaces. That compares to 56 per cent who support banning smoking in restaurants, and 40 per cent who favour a ban in bars.