A new coalition of interests from across the Irish hospitality industry has warned there will be serious job losses if the proposed ban on smoking goes ahead.
A spokesman for the Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance said it will begin a campaign this week to overturn the ban.
According to the newly formed alliance, which claims to have 35,000 members, 215,000 people are employed in the hospitality sector in Ireland.
The IHIA represents hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, licensed premises and tourism services and attractions.
Spokesman Finbar Murphy has called for compromise with the Minister for Health through dialogue on the question of the smoking ban.
Mr Murphy has cited the example of New York, where there are reports that there has been an average loss of around 30% in the business sector since the ban was introduced there in April.
An IHIA delegation is to travel to New York this week for meetings with industry colleagues.
The alliance says that, for example, compromise could be achieved through premises being forced to sign up to better air quality standards.
The ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants is due to come into effect in Ireland on 1 January next year.
