The Minister for Health, Micheál Martin, has said the Government will strongly resist any legal challenge to the proposed ban on smoking in the workplace.
Mr Martin said he believed there was strong public support for the ban, which will be introduced on 29 March.
He was speaking at the launch of a media campaign to prepare the public for the ban.
Television and radio advertising informing the public about the ban will begin today.
The Office of Tobacco Control designed the ads to emphasise the harmful effects of second hand tobacco smoke - whether in the pub or the office.
From 29 March smoking rooms will not be permitted any longer for workers, and there will be no obligation on employers to provide an outdoor smoking area.
However, employers will be obliged to provide a name to whom a complaint can be made, if necessary.
A legal challenge by the hospitality industry to the ban is still a possibility.
The Government is confident there is widespread public support for the ban, and that the vast majority of employers and employees will respect the new measure.
