smoking ban

The smoking ban is starting to unravel. I was listening to a discussion on the radio at lunchtime and it seems that the government's definition of a "workplace" and its attempt to exempt "dwellings" will leave them open to all sorts of legal challenges. I'm working from memory here, but a few points that seem to cause trouble are:

• the government doesn't want to ban smoking from prisons despite the fact that smoking is banned in NY prisons. This government believes that "second hand smoke" is a "carcinogen", and that workers should not be subjected to it. Unless, that is, you happen to be a prison guard. Apparently, the government is more concerned about prisoners' rights than prison guards' lives. Hmmm.
• Many Irish pubs are attached to the family home. However, according to the law, the entire structure is part of the licensed area. That should mean that publicans are banned from smoking in their bedrooms, kitchens, wherever.
• Now the government wants to exempt hotel rooms too. BUT, not B & B or GuestHouse rooms. This would obviously have competition implications.

Obviously, this is a poorly thought out mess. I suggest that the smoking ban be sidelined until the "vital infrastructure" projets are complete — that is, after we have the DART repaired, LUAS is running, the Port Tunnel is opened, the M50 finished, etc. You get the picture — NEVER.