A pro-smoking lobby group has described plans by Health Minister James Reilly to ban smoking in parks and on beaches as dangerous.
Forest Éireann said, unlike previous restrictions on smoking, the proposal is not evidence based, and appears to be cosmetic.
Spokesman John Mallon told RTÉ's Morning Ireland such a move would further marginalise people for the habit of smoking, which is still legal.
Mr Mallon questioned Minister Reilly's assertion that the move would de-normalise smoking for children.
"It's based on preferences and tastes, and that's quite dangerous in the area of legislation,” he said.
“Because you have to ask yourself what do you restrict next? Is the sight of a fat person sending a signal to a young child that it's okay to be overweight?
"In this case, it's a departure. It's not a case that it's bad or a danger. It just looks bad. That's very cosmetic at one level, and one wonders what else looks bad and whose tastes are we following in this."
