Andy Kerr belives new Irish figures back smoking ban legislation

A recent poll showed 93% of Irish people think the introduction of a no smoking law there a year ago was a good idea, including 80% of smokers.

Mr Kerr is pushing ahead with similar legislation and believes it will help improve the health of the nation.

He said the Irish Government's findings were "great news" and showed that smoke-free regulations work.

The statistics were released earlier this month and revealed a significant drop in the levels of the poisonous gas carbon monoxide in bar workers.

Researchers at St. James's Hospital in Dublin found non-smoking bar staff's carbon monoxide levels had fallen by 45% with a 36% decrease in ex-smokers.

I'm absolutely convinced that taking similar measures in Scotland will result in great strides in improving the health of the Scottish people Health Minister Andy Kerr

Mr Kerr said: "Compliance with the new law is sky-high, showing that the public adapt to smoke-free and grow to welcome it.

"A substantial reduction in the number of dangerous chemicals in the workplace - particularly pubs - will see the Irish people reaping future benefits for their health.

"I'm absolutely convinced that taking similar measures in Scotland will result in great strides in improving the health of the Scottish people."

He added: "Economic statistics also show that the ban has not had the disastrous impact on sales feared by the licensed trade and other scaremongers.

"This, coupled with feedback from New York, which celebrates its second anniversary on Wednesday, should make encouraging reading for Scots.

"The Scottish licensed trade should see this as a business opportunity, not a threat."

Scotland's smoking ban is due to come into effect in 2006

Maureen Moore, chief executive of anti-smoking lobby group Ash Scotland, added: "I hope that this excellent news from Ireland will concentrate minds in Scotland as to what is within our grasp, as well as end the scare stories from the tobacco industry and its allies."

However, the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) renewed its calls for a compromise, saying rural pubs had been particularly hard hit by the ban.

Its president, Seamus O'Donoghue, pointed to figures from the Central Statistics Office which showed 7,600 jobs were lost in the hospitality sector during 2004.

He said: "Nationwide, turnover in pubs is down on average between 20 and 30%.

"In County Clare alone, 26 pubs have closed in the last 12 months."