It will cover more areas...
The government is looking to extend the smoking ban where food is served to include outdoor areas.
It's understood that Fine Gael Senators, led by former Minister for Health James Reilly, have implored Minister for Health Simon Harris to change legislation on the issue.
The
Irish Times report that Harris will ask for cabinet approval on the matter on Tuesday.
"While our smoking ban was a really progressive move and lauded internationally," Reilly said earlier this year. "Unfortunately one of the unintended consequences has been the prevalence of smokers in the outdoor areas of bars, cafés and restaurants.
"This means that nobody can enjoy a meal outdoors on a sunny day in this country, without having to inhale other people’s smoke.
"Anyone spending their hard earned money in a restaurant or café should be entitled to enjoy their meal in a smoke free environment.
"Unfortunately the prevalence of smoke can ruin the experience for non-smokers. There is no reason why this situation should be forced upon non-smokers and it is time that we moved to protect them."
