The legal age for smoking and drinking in the Republic of Ireland is 18. In March 2004, Ireland became the first country in Europe to introduce a complete ban on smoking in the workplace. The following, however, are the exceptions:

• Designated hotel, guesthouse and B&B bedrooms
• Residential areas within third level education institutions
• Garda (police) station detention areas
• Prisons
• Nursing homes
• Hospices
• Psychiatric hospitals
• Religious order homes

Remember to specify your preference for a smoking or non-smoking room when booking accommodation. It is, unsurprisingly, illegal to sell or buy drugs anywhere in the Republic of Ireland.