Denormalizing the behaviour of smoking will result in fewer young people taking up the habit.
A proposal for smoking to be banned in public spaces, including parks and beaches, appeared in Tobacco Free Ireland's latest annual report.
The smoking ban in all workplaces, including indoor areas in bars and restaurants, was brought in in March 2004.
Professor Des Cox, chair of the policy group on Tobacco at the Royal College of Physicians, says we shouldn't be smoking around children:
"Public areas, playgrounds, beaches are mainly populated by families. We should be trying to model good behaviour around children and set a good example by not smoking around them".
