Smoking in cars carrying children illegal from today
New laws making it an offence to smoke in any car carrying children came into effect at midnight.
If caught, offenders face a fixed fine of €100.
ASH Ireland has encourages people to give up smoking today, claiming that 100 people die each week in Ireland as a result of smoking.
The group, which aims to reduce the impact of tobacco on Irish society, is urging smokers to visit the quit.ie website and make a plan to give up smoking.
Chairperson of ASH Ireland, Dr Ross Morgan, said that initial research seems to indicate that e-cigarettes are marginally healthier than tobacco, but should not be seen as a long-term alternative.
"I'd encourage everybody who is a current smoker to stop smoking for their health, it’s the most important thing they could do," he said.
"And for their pocket it's going to be really important as well.
"And whatever mechanism and whatever helps them to do that, and if it's an electronic cigarette, great, but I would say try to get off the electronic cigarette eventually as well."
