It may not have impressed his party leader, but defying the smoking ban has done John Deasy's chances of re-election no harm. Deasy beat 12 other candidates to top an opinion poll carried out in his Waterford constituency. When asked their voting intentions 20% of those polled said they intend to vote for the smoking rebel TD. Transport minister Martin Cullen was his nearest rival on 16%. Cullen topped the poll in the general election of 2002 with Deasy second. This situation now looks set to be reversed with Deasy topping the poll in Waterford by increasing his share of the vote by 5%

The increase in John Deasy's popularity with voters can be traced back to his defiance of the smoking ban. Deasy was Fine Gael frontbench spokesman on Justice and openly flouted the ban by smoking in the Dail bar the day after it's introduction. He was subsequently sacked from his post and lambasted by party leader Enda Kenny. Deasy however remained unrepentant and refused to apologise stating he thought the smoking ban was extreme and over the top. He also stated that he felt some accommodation must be made for those who smoke and pointed out that there had been no opportunity to raise objections to the ban and that it was imposed without any debate or vote by parliament.

John Deasy's rebellious smoking exploits seem to have struck a chord with voters, but seems to be lost on his own party. As news of his poll topping achievements were released it also emerged that party workers were being warned not to smoke while canvassing. In a guide called 'Canvassing for Results' Fine Gael party workers are told not to smoke at the doorsteps while canvassing for votes.