There has been an overwhelming level of compliance with the workplace smoking ban, according to figures released by the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) today.
The OTC said there was 95 per cent compliance rate for the ban and that 98 per cent of all indoor workers reported that their work atmosphere had not been smoky since the ban's introduction.
Some 95 per cent of all smokers surveyed who visited a pub within the previous fortnight either smoked outside or did not smoke at all, while more than one in five smokers chose not to smoke at all when out socialising.
The OTC's 2005 Annual Report shows that 35,042 inspections were completed by Environmental Health Officers in 2005. A total of 38 prosecutions were taken for permitting smoking in an enclosed workplace and for having inadequate signage.
Thirty-two cases were against licensed premises, four related to taxi companies, one was against a shop and one was against a member of the public for smoking in a specified place. Thirty-seven of the cases were successful.
Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children Sean Power said: "The response from all sectors to this measure has been very positive with continuing high compliance levels and strong public support."
Mr Power said the Government was to begin a consultation process to further strengthen the anti-smoking laws.