As an Irish Orgite (irealnd has had the ban for a few years) I can wholeheartedly say that this is not some quasi fascist conspiracy designed to reduce people's freedoms as some people would have you believe. Practically everyone I know, smokers and non smokers, now hail the ban as a HUGE success. Bars, pubs and resteraunts are infinitely more pleasurable to be be. A new culture of going out for a smoke has emerged, where the specially allocated outdoor areas at the back of pubs and clubs are now a perfect place to get a few minutes out of the load music/atmosphere and have a quiter chat and meet new people... if you know what I mean! Hey, and if it works with Irish weather, then it'll work ANYWHERE! My shirts no longer need chemical treatment to get them to stop stinking. Food is so much more enjoyable without adding the "smoked" flavour to everything. Smoking numbers have dropped dramatically. Down from about 32% to low 23% (roughly). When I go abroad, I find I dont like going out as much precisely because of the smoke. I would be much more likely to go to a country where there is a similar ban.