Around 800,000 people quit smoking since workplace ban introduced twenty years ago

Tomorrow is the twentieth anniversary of the ban which stopped people lighting up in public places.

It comes as the go ahead was given today for wider curbs on advertising near schools.

Around 74 countries have since followed the example with a complete smoking bans in indoor public places, workplaces and public transport.

Smoking rates in Ireland are down from 27pc in 2004 to 18pc last year, although progress has slowed.

The HSE said there has been a reduction of smoking rates among children, reducing from 19pc in 2004 to 5pc today.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who was Minister for Health when the ban was introduced, said today: "This Friday marks twenty years since the introduction of the workplace smoking ban - one of the most important and memorable days in my political career.

“While it was viewed as a controversial measure at the time and faced stiff opposition, the positive impact that the smoking ban has had on public health in Ireland is clear.

"Over the past two decades, smoking rates have reduced significantly - particularly among children. Hundreds of thousands of people have given up smoking since 2004.

“We have continued to push ahead with measures to combat smoking because, simply, there is nothing good about this habit. It is addictive, it is lethal and I have yet to meet a smoker who is happy that they started.

“Twenty years on from the introduction of the smoking ban, we now face new, worrying challenges posed by vaping. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has taken important steps to ban the sale of vapes to children and is examining further measures to address these challenges.

“As we mark this anniversary, we remain focused on measures that put the health of our population first, that protect future generations and that will bring closer to our goal of a tobacco-free Ireland."

Mr Donnelly announced today he has signed commencement orders to prohibit advertising for nicotine inhaling products around cinema films for children, as well as 200 metres of a school.

There is a six-month lead-in time for these measures which will take effect from September 23.

From Thursday next test purchasing operations can be carried out by environmental health officers in the HSE to find out if the law around the sale of cigarettes to minors is being followed.

Test purchasing operations involve a minor aged 15 or over attempting to purchase tobacco products in contravention of the ban on sales to minors.

These operations were previously approved by the High Court for tobacco and from Thursday, they will be contained in legislation for both tobacco and nicotine inhaling products.

Since December it has been illegal to sell an e-cigarette to a child.

Mr Donnelly said: “The commencement will bring into operation further elements of our overall strategy to reduce the exposure of our children to smoking and vaping.

"I am particularly pleased to commence the statutory framework for test purchases as it highlights how some of our young people themselves are helping to protect other young people from tobacco and nicotine inhaling products.

“As we mark 20 years since the introduction of the smoking ban in Ireland, my Department continues to introduce evidence-based policy measures that help to reduce the significant health burden that smoking places on our population.

“Second-hand smoke causes cancers, heart disease and strokes, and young people who vape are more likely to go on to smoke, so it is vital that we initiate measures to protect them from addictive products.

“We have made great strides in this area, but the work continues and I want to reaffirm my commitment to reaching our goal of a tobacco free Ireland.”