Trade unions have thrown their "unswerving" support behind the ban on working in the workplace that is due to come into force on January 1st, next.
At a public meeting this afternoon with speakers from across the trade union movement, and several health professionals, Mr John Douglas, MANDATE's national official said their could be no compromises on the implementation of the ban and that his union, which represents workers in the bar and hospitality trade, wanted to see it fully enforced.
Speaking at this afternoon's meeting, which was called to publicise the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' support for the ban, Mr Douglas denied that it would have any negative effect on employment in the sector and added that the Vintner's Federation of Ireland (VFI) and other lobby groups could not be allowed obstruct, or prevent its implementation.
"ICTU's decisions recognises the fact that no person should be exposed to the risks posed by second-hand smoke at their place of work, including bars and restaurants," he said.
"Clearly, this level of exposure can no longer be treated as an acceptable occupational hazard for worker in the hospitality sector."
The ban, he added, had been fully endorsed by MANDATE members in the workplace who at the last MANDATE agm passed almost unanimously a motion supporting the ban.
IMPACT General Secretary, Mr Peter McLoone, said his union was also supporting the ban, and rejected what he described as "weak arguments" for compromise on the issue from pro-smoking lobby groups that are looking for a phased introduction of the ban.
Also rejecting "scare mongering" about the possible economic effects of the ban, Mr McLoone cited a recent global study carried out in Australia which indicated that the effects of such a ban there were minimal and the only studies that argued otherwise were sponsored by the tobacco industry.
Earlier this week, members of the VFI said they would be putting forward candidates for European and local elections next year to fight what they describe as the growing level of repressive legislation.
VFI president, Mr Joe Browne, said the committee would propose that members be nominated as electoral candidates for next year's elections.
"This decision is not directly related to the proposed ban on smoking in all places of work but is in response to the growing level of repressive legislation evident in Ireland today," he said.