What are the rules on smoking and vaping in pubs, restaurants and hotels?
Smoking is banned in enclosed workplaces across the island, since 2004 in the Republic and 2007 in Northern Ireland, and that covers pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotel bars and public areas, public transport and work vehicles. There are no indoor smoking rooms in pubs or restaurants: smokers step outside, usually to a designated area or a partly open shelter. Hotels may set aside a small number of designated smoking bedrooms, but the public areas are smoke free everywhere, and most rooms are sold as non smoking. Vaping sits outside the workplace smoking ban in the Republic, but many venues, hotels and transport operators prohibit it by their own policy, so follow the signs and ask staff rather than assuming. Tobacco and vapes cannot be sold to anyone under 18 on either side of the border.
Useful pages: Money and tipping in Ireland · Shopping in Ireland · Packing checklist · Travel notices · Healthcare and emergencies · Irish weather · Festivals and events · Dublin · Ireland dos and don'ts · Solo travel in Ireland · First time visitor tips
Sources
- HSE: healthcare for visitors to Ireland and treatment with an EHIC, hse.ie; Citizens Information: health services and public holidays, citizensinformation.ie
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