<P> Currently, the Irish law prohibits smoking fully in the general workplace, enclosed public places, restaurants, bars, education facilities, healthcare facilities and public transport . Smoking rooms are permitted in hotels . </P> <P> As of July 2009, it is prohibited to advertise cigarettes and sell 10 - packs of cigarettes in retail outlets . Additionally, as of February 2013, any tobacco product placed on the market must have graphic warnings . There is legislation being made to introduce plain tobacco packaging and make Ireland the second country to do so, after Australia . </P> <P> Smoking in workplaces in Ireland was banned on 29 March 2004, making Ireland the first country in the world to institute an outright ban on smoking in workplaces . From that date onwards, under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts, it has been illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces . The ban is strictly enforced and includes bars, restaurants, clubs, offices, public buildings, company cars, trucks, taxis and vans . A private residence is considered a workplace when tradespeople, such as plumbers or electricians, are working there . € 3,000 is the maximum fine on the spot, while a prison sentence can also be given at a later time for violators . The law exempts dwellings, prisons, nursing homes, psychiatric wards, hotel rooms charitable accommodation and college dorm rooms . Certain buildings such as some hospitals forbid smoking anywhere in the grounds . </P> <P> Before the 2004 law, smoking was already outlawed in public buildings, hospitals, schools, restaurant kitchens, cinemas, public pharmacies, public hairdressing premises, public banking halls, and on public transport aircraft and buses and some trains (Intercity trains provided smokers' carriages). </P>

When did the smoking ban come into ireland