Delegates in Helsinki are watching developments in Ireland, writes Dr Muiris Houston
There is a strong interest here, particular among European delegates, in the Government's plan to ban smoking from workplaces on January 1st.
As the first European country to implement a ban that includes the restaurant and bar sector, we are seen as the test case.
The British are especially interested. They are aware of the role of pubs and restaurants in our tourism sector, and they also have a better sense than most for Irish politics.
Less than two weeks after its launch, the Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance has made its impact beyond our shores.
Anti-tobacco activists in the UK are genuinely afraid that if this group succeeds in delaying our ban, then the chances of pushing such a move in Britain will be greatly diminished.
As one remarked yesterday: "I hope your Government's plans are not nobbled by the hospitality group."
The Norwegians are a little put out that we will be beating them to the ban. They are set to banish workplace smoking on June 1st, 2004, even though the legislation approving the change was passed in May this year. In fact a press release yesterday from the Norwegian Tobacco Free organisation proclaimed: "Norway will be the first country in the world to introduce a total ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants..."
Anti-tobacco activists in the Republic will be hoping that this statement does not take on the appearance of a prescient Freudian slip in five months' time.
The Norwegians say they have built a strong alliance comprising the hotel and restaurant workers' union, lawmakers, the Department of Health and the media.
Commenting on the efforts of the tobacco industry to prevent smoke-free bars and restaurants by arguing they merely need better ventilation, Mr Tore Sanner, chairman of Tobacco Free, told journalists: "They tried to make this an issue, but we were able to show that, even if you had good ventilation, it does not protect restaurant and bar staff."
Opinion polls in Norway show 60 per cent public support for the smoke-free bar and restaurant proposal.
Significantly, 87 per cent of people said they would not stop going out to eat and drink when the ban comes in.