The fast-approaching smoking ban will not turn Ireland into a "nanny state", the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, insisted today.
He acknowledged that the workplace ban, which has been opposed by the hospitality sector, would be hard for smokers but urged them to adhere to the law.
"I just ask smokers in particular to understand that it is for the greater good," he said.
"I know that it's inconvenient and I know it's hard. I've never been a smoker so I don't understand totally the difficulty for them but it's an issue for the health of all the people."
He added: "I don't want this to turn into a nanny state where people send inspectors in to see if people drink or people smoke but I think people understand that there's a good reason for this law and I ask people to comply with it fully."
Mr Ahern confirmed that the ban would apply to every pub and restaurant in every area and will be enforced next month.