One year ago Ireland became the first country to ban smoking in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants. Many bars used to be smoke-filled but now people puffing outside pubs before heading back in to enjoy their drinks is a common sight in Ireland.
The law was controversial when introduced - especially with pub landlords. But predictions of the ban being widely flouted have been proven wrong, with punters generally welcoming the law.
'It's certainly far more pleasant now to go into a pub or a restaurant and not be worried when you sit down beside someone that they are going to light up straight away and that you're going to have to move,' said Ralph Cunningham, who regularly travels back to his home county of Tipperary from London.
'It is one less consideration when you go out at night because now you're certain that you're going to have a smoke-free time wherever you go.'
The ban has also meant that families may be more likely to go out for meals in pubs knowing young children will not be inhaling cigarette smoke. Alec McTurk from County Wicklow said he used to be concerned about dining in a pub over concerns about the effect of smoke on his two-year-old daughter. '[Now] I would be more inclined to go in,' he said.
A government opinion poll showed 93 per cent think the introduction of the law was a good idea, including 80 per cent of smokers. The same research found 99 per cent of restaurants and 90 per cent of pubs had complied with the law.