The smoky coal ban is to be extended to seven more towns next year.
The ban was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 in response to major problems with smog.
It was such a success that it was expanded to other urban centres over the following two decades and currently applies in 20 cities and big towns.
In 2013, it will be extended to six new provincial towns because they have populations of over 15,000.
They are Greystones, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Navan, Newbridge and Portlaoise.
Wicklow Town is also being included following requests from the County Council and local representatives.
The current ban prohibits the sale, marketing and distribution of smoky coal, but people can still burn coal if they source it from outside the ban area.
This loophole is to be closed and the burning of smoky coal in itself will be an offence. The new regulations take effect in May of next year.
